New York. It was William Nylander’s night in Toronto – again.
First (!) he nodded in a 4-4 handover in a cracked Holmgang against Florida, then decided on a solo overtime raid.
– I didn’t see anything on the tie, I just grabbed the ball with my head and went in. But I’ll take it, the Swedish champion smiles.
It seems like the Toronto Maple Leafs are just in on the amazing bang-bang games at the moment.
Last Saturday, they pressed the series-leading Boston Bruins into their fanciest regular season duel to date, and followed it up tonight with a Wild West performance against the Florida Cats at home at Scotiabank Arena.
It was certainly not played well, quite the opposite – but thanks to the number of goals per game and minute, the abundance of expulsions, the flagrant fouls and the bad atmosphere on the ice, it had the same entertainment value.
– Yes, in two periods it was a crazy match. When he met the media afterward, William Nylander says, “We haven’t seen much five-man play.”
– We, on our part, can do much better, but you can’t be on top all the time, and on the third I think we pulled ourselves together.
Above all, Lil’ Nelt pulled herself together. Barely six minutes into the final chapter, he equalized at 4-4 – heading the ball in like another Zlatan.
– I think Mitch Marner pulled the puck away and then took it to my head and came in. I didn’t see anything but I’ll accept it, he smiled.
1.53 into overtime It’s time for the next feat. William — who also had an assist in the game — caught the puck just below the center circle, drove to the west edge, rolled two Florida catches, cut to the box and put up a crucial 5-4 puck.
It ended in such an enthusiastic cheer that it crashed straight into the sidelines.
– Well, I grew up a lot there, says the 26-year-old star and laughs.
Calle Järnkrok and Timothy Liljegren are also noted for providing assistance.