New York. The Toronto Maple Leafs are still around – not least thanks to William Nylander.
Scored one, and was great overall, as they avoided exiting the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 2-1 win at Florida last night.
– That was the moment when everyone had to show what they can contribute, says the Swedish star.
There may have been one or two on the other side of the Atlantic, not least Tre Kronor nationals captain Sam Hallam, who was hoping Florida would complete their “sweep” against Toronto in Game 4 at Sunrise last night, because in this case William Nylander was able on throwing on a plane to join younger brother Alexander and best friend Rasmus Sandin in Swedish boy band WC.
But the 27-year-old sniper had other plans. Like the other stars on the team—all of whom had come under harsh criticism earlier in the series against the Panthers—he rallied for perhaps the best playoff performance of his career, working hard both offensively and defensively and putting in solid work in the game. The beginning of the second half in the first important goals of the game.
– In terms of will to fight and accuracy, most of them reached a new level tonight and Willie was definitely one of them, said Coach Sheldon Cave in his FLA Live press conference after the final whistle.
The team effort was clearly the best of the season.
“Lill-Nyllet” himself surprised the Toronto media punters – known to weigh every Leafs player’s every word – when he said the day before that it would be fun to play an irreplaceable game and after the night’s tight performances he was asked if he had suddenly decided to get serious instead of just enjoy.
– I was really serious even before the playoffs, he answers with a smile.
– It was that moment when everyone had to show what they could contribute.
With the win, the Leafs force another game, in Toronto on Saturday night, but until then, a win is required if the season is not to end prematurely.
– Yes, it will get more difficult. We need to be better in that game, says Lil-Nelette, now alone in first place in the Swedish points league in the playoffs.
