'Special player': Nylander spurs Maple Leafs' dominant redemption effort

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs have been stuck on a roller-coaster.

After finishing February simply rolling — winning seven of eight games and sitting first in the division when the calendar flipped — March has been a tougher go. Through 11 tilts heading into their latest outing, the Maple Leafs had lost six, won three in regulation, and needed extra time to get by fringe outfits Pittsburgh and Utah. The most significant stumble came three nights ago, when signs of progress found in a hard-fought win against Colorado were undone by a reality check from the Nashville Predators, the third-worst squad in the league.

But Tuesday night came the reply, a fitting redemption effort, as the Maple Leafs pulled out the kind of high-octane, dominant drubbing they’re expected to produce when lined up across from a resident of the league’s basement.

“I just liked the way we stuck with our game,” said John Tavares from the locker room after the dust had settled on a 7-2 win for the home side. “We didn’t get away from things that we’re doing well — even at times when maybe you don’t feel like you’re generating much, or you’re not carrying play the way you want, and you have to fight through some of the pressure. 

“You know, a much better just type of mindset we had [tonight], of just sticking with our game and trusting, if we do that, with the type of team that we have, the depth that we have, it sets us up well to create opportunities, build a lead, and be in control of the game.”

The Maple Leafs were unquestionably in control of this one. And there’s no doubt who served as the catalyst for the Tuesday-night ship-righting.

Two-and-a-half minutes after the Flyers drew first blood with an early power-play marker, it was William Nylander who grabbed the puck behind the Philly net, wheeled around to the right circle, and wired an inch-perfect pass to set up Tavares for the tying goal. It was Nylander who cashed in for Toronto’s second tally five minutes later, throwing a puck on net from the other side of the offensive zone, spurring enough chaos to pot a power-play marker.

It was No. 88 kicking off the second period in equally fine form, mimicking his own first-period sequence to set up Bobby McMann for a tally. And a few minutes later, it was Nylander who took matters into his own hands again, walking into the high slot and wiring one past Samuel Ersson to cement his third-straight 40-goal campaign.

“He’s a lot of fun to play with. Such a unique talent,” Tavares said of his linemate. “I think his work ethic is pretty exceptional. You know, his desire to be the best player on the ice, and make an impact, is extremely high. … The ability to shrug things off, it’s unbelievable. You never know when something special’s going to happen. He just has that ability to [make] something out of nothing.

“The way he’s elevated his game the last number of years, and just become a perennial All-Star, one of the top wingers in the game — he’s such a game-breaker. One of the ultimate game-breakers in our league. … You know, 40 is difficult to get, so he’s obviously doing a lot of good things. Special player.”

“He’s one of one, for sure, the way he plays the game,” added Max Domi, who had a goal himself on the night. “He makes everyone around him better. He hangs onto the puck and he can just make guys look silly out there.”

It’s not just the speed, or the hands, or the footwork, though. It’s not just the ability to crack a game open with all-world offensive dynamism. It’s that undefinable quality of Nylander’s persona that makes him such a crucial cog in this Maple Leafs machine — the unflappable nature that, while at times has drawn criticism when confused for a lack of dedication, also leaves him unfazed by the rigours of the Toronto maelstrom.

“I’ve always said I think he’s built to play in Toronto and be a Maple Leaf,” said Tavares. “His ability to deal with all the attention and all the questions all the time, you know, not taking things too seriously — in the right way. I think his inner drive and focus is very suited for here, and you see it year in and year out.”

True to form, asked post-game about hitting 40 goals for the third straight season, Nylander simply cracked a smile.

“I mean, just trying to do what I’m paid to do,” he said through a grin. “That’s it.”

The Maple Leafs’ second line as a whole was flying Tuesday night, the lighter opponent granting them an opportunity to finetune their offensive might as a trio. All told, the three forwards combined for 10 points on the evening — Nylander and Tavares each finishing with two goals and two assists, while Bobby McMann added a helper and his 20th goal of the season himself.

“I think we all bring a different dynamic,” McMann said of his line. “John’s so cerebral, he’s able to see plays all over the ice. Willy’s just so good at generating with his speed, with how quick his feet are and how quick his hands are. And I’m just trying to be competitive, get pucks back, and open up space for those guys.”

For the trio’s elder statesman, Tuesday’s performance was simply the continuation of a run of form that’s held strong all season, the 34-year-old’s ageless campaign spurring him on to 32 goals and 65 points through 64 games this year. Though the season started on rocky footing for Tavares, the former captain stripped of the ‘C’ in the summer in a much-scrutinized changing of the guard, nights like this one make clear the veteran hasn’t stopped leading these Maple Leafs.

“Johnny’s on another planet right now — everything he touches goes in. It’s great to see. He’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever played with, so it’s great to see him get rewarded,” said Domi. “He’s the ultimate professional. You hear that word thrown around a lot. It’s kind of [overused] nowadays — ‘That guy’s a pro, this guy’s a pro.’ No, he’s a pro. 

“He’s the definition of it. The way he prepares, the way he recovers. I mean, he’s a special guy. We’re very lucky to have him.”

In the bigger picture, the seven-goal shellacking of one of the league’s worst clubs isn’t necessarily a crucial stepping stone for this group. Still, it was undoubtedly needed after what transpired three nights ago in Nashville.

With the redemption win in tow, Toronto moves to a tie for first in the division, staring down a meeting with San Jose on Thursday that should offer an opportunity to pull ahead. All in all, it’s largely been a solid season for Berube’s Leafs, their chances at claiming the Atlantic proof enough of that. Of course, as has been true for some time now, the expectations for this group are well beyond that.

On the timeline of this Maple Leafs core, backdropped by their organization’s decision to run it back year after year after year, the bar couldn’t be clearer. The 2024-25 Maple Leafs will be judged by what happens in April, after Game 82, and little else. That in mind, what matters most is not where Toronto finishes in the regular-season standings, but what they show in this final phase of the campaign, what they look like as the playoffs approach, what reasons they give fans to believe it may be different this year.

The most meaningful step in finding that progress would seem to be Toronto proving they can meet the level of the game’s best clubs when they come face to face with them. The other side of that coin is proving they can maintain that level when they meet clubs on the opposite side of the standings — that they can methodically collect the points, and the wins, against the teams they’re supposed to beat.

The Maple Leafs have been wobbly on that last count at times. But on this night, if nothing else, they showed their best, handled their business, and got rewarded for their efforts.