Leafs Stay Afloat Without Nylander, But His Absence Still Looms Large
The Toronto Maple Leafs have managed to weather the storm without their top scorer, but William Nylander’s latest injury setback is once again testing the team’s depth-and their ceiling.
Through the 10 games Nylander has missed this season, the Leafs have gone 6-2-2. That’s a respectable mark, especially considering the offensive punch he brings to the lineup. But as Thursday night’s 6-5 overtime loss in Vegas reminded us, this team is simply better when No. 88 is on the ice.
Nylander logged just four shifts against the Golden Knights before exiting with a lower-body injury. Ironically, the injury appeared to occur during his celebration after scoring in the first period-a moment that should’ve been a spark turned into a concern. Head coach Craig Berube confirmed postgame that the injury is a flare-up of the same lower-body issue that sidelined Nylander for six games from December 28 to January 8.
“He’s back playing great and he’s out again,” Berube said, visibly frustrated. “We’ll see how long.”
And Nylander was playing great. He’s put up 48 points in 37 games-17 goals and 31 assists-continuing to be one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league this season.
His ability to drive play, create space for linemates, and finish at an elite level makes him a cornerstone of Toronto’s attack. Losing him, even temporarily, isn’t just a hit to the scoreboard-it shifts the entire complexion of the lineup.
The Leafs are expected to get more clarity on Nylander’s status soon, but in the meantime, they’ll need to keep grinding. The team practiced in the desert on Friday before heading north to wrap up their four-game road trip Saturday in Winnipeg.
And that game won’t be a walk in the park. The Jets are heating up, riding a four-game win streak that’s pulled them out of the Western Conference basement and back into the playoff conversation. They’re playing with confidence, and they’ll be looking to take advantage of a Leafs squad that’s not only missing Nylander but also trying to stay sharp in the middle of a tough road stretch.
There is some good news on the injury front: defenseman Simon Benoit, who missed the Vegas game with an upper-body injury, is “probably ready to go” against Winnipeg, according to Berube. Benoit brings a physical presence on the back end, and his return would offer a boost to a blue line that’s been asked to do a lot of heavy lifting lately.
Despite going 8-1-3 over their last 12 games-a stretch that would typically vault a team up the standings-the Leafs still find themselves two points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. That’s the reality of this year’s playoff race: relentless, unforgiving, and crowded.
The Leafs have proven they can hang tough without Nylander. But if they want to make a serious push-and avoid another early spring-they’ll need him back in the fold sooner rather than later.