Los Angeles. The hottest Swede in the NHL certainly didn’t have time to cool off over the Christmas break.
William Nylander decided—because it’s about it—Toronto’s fresh start against the St. Louis Cardinals. Lewis scored one of the best extra-time goals of the season.
“Of course, it feels good the pucks are going right now,” he says modestly after the 5-4 win.
Despite the fact that it only lasts for three days, a bewildering number of people in the NHL managed to get a little rusty over the Christmas break and look a little awkward when they got back on the ice.
But it’s clear that William Nylander – number one in the Swedish shooting league, by a large margin – doesn’t put in much effort on days off with family and friends.
He appeared with all the desirable clarity four minutes into overtime at the beginning of the second half between the Maple Leafs and Blues in the St. Louis Cardinals. Lewis, when “Lil’ Nelt” stole Vladimir Tarasenko from the puck on his own blue line, rocketed like a rocket across the ice and feinted Jordan Pennington into the sausage line before slamming a backhand into the roof of the net.
The first game after the first half isn’t further than that, but I’m not going to complain because we got two points and I really liked how Willie finished the game, says Coach Sheldon Keefe.
“I’m relieved the pucks are going in.”
The goal was the 26-year-old’s 21st of the Swede’s season – a figure he didn’t reach until February last season – and so he’s chipping away further at the top of the Swedish shooting league.
– Of course, it’s good that the pucks will come in now. “I have to keep shooting a lot,” he tells the Toronto Star.
Superlatives no greater than that can be extracted from it.
– No, I think that’s how it should be. He believes that no matter if you are playing fantasy or going through a difficult period, you need to find balance.
Kali Yarnrock also had a nice evening in Missouri scoring a goal and making two assists.
– Since I just got back from injury, the ‘rest’ was fine for me, I got some extra rest, says Gästriken.
Timothy Lillgren, Pierre Engvall and Pontus Holmberg also contributed – while former Toronto Swede Kali Rosen scored one of the home team’s goals. It was his third of the season.