Team Canada back in action vs. Germany (8 p.m., TSN) Nylander scores in Swede win,
First-rounder’s dazzling goal sparks ‘Go Leafs Go’ chant in Sweden’s win over Czechs
Leafs first-round pick William Nylander came to Toronto for the world junior championship amid expectations of electric play, the kind that will show up on the sports highlights and fill fans with hope. So far, so good. Nylander began delivering on those lofty expectations Friday, with a Boxing Day crowd announced at 13,077 feeling pretty good after Nylander scored the game winner in Sweden’s 5-2 win over the Czech Republic.
“I was excited for the game, but our whole team played well,” said Nylander, who was drafted eighth overall in June and will be under an intense spotlight throughout the tournament.
The opening day of the world junior tournament was full of excellent contests, but there was no doubt that the Leafs, fans and scouts were focusing on Nylander. When he scored midway through the second period, 27 seconds after the Czech Republic had tied the game at 2-2, chants of “Go Leafs Go” were heard throughout the arena.
The WJC affords Nylander the chance to showcase his talents here after being among the final cuts from the Leafs’ training camp in September. He arrives as one of the leading scorers with Modo of the Swedish Hockey League and ready to put on a show.
Over the first two periods, Nylander’s smooth, effortless skating stood out. He has a stutter step that can freeze defenders for a split second, followed by a burst of speed that leaves them a step or two behind.
Twice in the first period he left de- fenders behind, including one move that created a two-on-one chance. Nylander elected to pass to linemate Oskar Lindblom on that one, and the Philadelphia Flyers’ fifth-round pick unloaded a shot that was tipped high over the net. He showed the speed and puck control needed to back off defenders and stand out among players his own age.
“We came out well and we talked about being good at the start, because we struggled at the start in our (two) exhibition games,” said Nylander teammate Jacob de la Rose, a Montreal draft pick who may one day face Nylander in the Leafs-Canadiens rivalry at the NHL level.
Nylander’s Friday showing was a needed step after sub-par exhibition games. His performance as a top-10 pick will be dissected at length. One of the subplots is how he performs compared with American phenom Jack Eichel, the consensus No. 2ranked skater behind Canada’s Connor McDavid for next June’s draft. Eichel clearly outperformed Nylander in a 10-5 exhibition win by the U.S., which did not impress scouts watching the Leaf prospect. Nylander and Canadian Sam Reinhart (picked second overall by Buffalo) are the highest drafted players in action at the world juniors.
Against that backdrop, Nylander went about his business and handled himself well in a post-game scrum, sporting a goofy toque.
He was floored in the third period by a hit to the head from Jan Kostalek, but got up and set up a goal on the ensuing power play. Nylander was involved in both of Sweden’s goals with the man advantage.
“We scored on the power play, so that was good,” he said later.
Nylander is wearing No. 21, made famous by Leafs great Borje Salming. He said he didn’t choose it, though — “it was assigned.” Asked if he would prefer a different number, he simply said “no” and smiled
Nylander has eight goals and 19 assists in 19 games for Modo, which puts him on pace for more points than Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg and the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, posted when they were 18-yearolds in Sweden’s top league.
He’s back in Toronto for now — Sweden takes on Denmark on Saturday — and Leafs fans have to like what they’re seeing so far.