In the lead-up to Game 1 of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced a mystery surrounding William Nylander’s injury. Despite producing only four points in the final stretch of the regular season, Nylander wasn’t playing through any significant ailments. There were no reports of off-ice incidents contributing to his injury either. So, what caused Nylander to miss Game 1?
According to sources, Nylander woke up with an issue that required attention on Thursday morning. He remained “pretty stiff” when the series began over 48 hours later. Nylander wasn’t even spotted at TD Garden on game day, further adding to the confusion. However, there was a sighting of him at Warrior Ice Arena on Sunday, where he was the first player to hit the ice for a skate. Teammate Jake McCabe mentioned that Nylander seemed to be in good spirits that day.
Unfortunately, Nylander didn’t look his usual self during the practice session. He appeared to be laboring and struggled with some shot attempts. He frequently hunched over while regrouping along the boards between drills. This was the first time Nylander had been seen on the ice since the team’s loss to the Lightning on Wednesday.
Despite the lack of updates from head coach Sheldon Keefe, there is hope that Nylander may be ready for Game 2. The length of his participation in the Sunday skate will be telling, as his body’s response is crucial. Getting Nylander back in the lineup would greatly benefit the Leafs, who struggled in their 5-1 loss to Boston in the series opener. Nylander is an elite puck transporter and a threat all over the ice offensively. He also kills penalties for the team.
It’s worth noting that Nylander has rarely missed games due to injury throughout his NHL career. In fact, Saturday’s game was just the second he’d missed due to injury in a 653-game career. Therefore, the expectation is that he will be ready to play at some point during this series. However, any additional games missed would be a blow for the Leafs.
Nylander’s absence is particularly significant considering his strong postseason performances in the past. The Leafs will need all their key players to step up in this series, especially after Nylander’s standout year. Being on the sidelines while his teammates battle it out can’t be easy for him.
Overall, the mystery surrounding Nylander’s injury persists, but there are signs of hope for his return. The Leafs will be eagerly awaiting his comeback, as his presence on the ice could be a game-changer for the team in their quest for playoff success.