William Nylander was the only player for the Toronto Maple Leafs to play in all 82 games during the 2023-2024 season, and for his efforts, he had the best season of his career, but due to circumstances that everyone has been mum on, the 27-year-old right winger missed game one of his team's first-round matchup against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden Arena.
Whether Leafs fans believe it or not, it is conceivable to believe that the Maple Leafs will only go as far as Nylander can carry them. Auston Matthews certainly knows how to put the puck in the net, but Nylander's growth in consistency this season should be able to be carried over into the playoffs. For now, let's just see if he'll be inserted into the lineup Monday night and, if so, if he can help a team that desperately is looking for a win so they aren't returning to Toronto down 0-2.