Updated on 06.33 | Published on 06.31
New York. William Nylander made history last night.
By assisting on a goal, he became the first Toronto Maple Leafs player to open a season with points in nine straight games.
However, it wasn’t enough, as the Blue and White put up a slick effort against Los Angeles and lost 4-1 – including Andreas Englund’s first NHL goal.
– No one had what it took tonight, States coach Sheldon Keefe.
For a long time it looked as if “Lill-Nyllet” would fail in attempts to extend its impressive opening streak. With just a few minutes remaining in the home game against the LA Kings, he had no marks on the log.
But then the NHL suddenly announced that he later had a second assist on John Tavares’ goal midway through the third period — and suddenly William Nylander became the first in the Leafs’ long history to start a season with points in nine. Straight games.
However, the celebration of the club’s new record was modest, because otherwise there was nothing worth celebrating. The Leafs looked like many teams do — for reasons that aren’t clear — in their first home game after a long road trip and deservedly lost 4-1.
-We were really flat tonight. No one had what it took. Even the power play didn’t work, it was like a five-on-five game even when we had another guy on the ice,” coach Sheldon Keefe says.
At the same time, the Kings put in a solid effort on the road, giving nothing away defensively and taking advantage of their opportunities offensively.
Among others, Swedish defenseman Andreas Englund scored his first NHL goal after seven years in North America. Now, sure, he spent the lion’s share of those seven years in the AHL and wasn’t exactly used to score in the 89 games he played, but still – talk about Halloween candy!
– Yes, it’s been a long time since I made my debut in the NHL, so it’s very good to finally score the first goal, says the 27-year-old from Stockholm.
Adrian Kempe also scored a goal, his third this season.