Auston Matthews Delivers Backhanded Compliment to Leafs Teammate William Nylander
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has touched on one aspect of William Nylander's game that he admires, even though some might view it negatively.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have claimed another thrilling victory, this time a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Auston Matthews got the scoring started, continuing his impressive performance since returning from injury, netting his 19th goal of the season.
William Nylander also contributed on the score sheet once again, adding yet another breakaway goal to his resumè. Nylander's 28th goal of the season now places him second in the league, behind only Leon Draisaitl.
Following the win on Monday, Matthews praised Nylander's play, noting his ability to consistently be in the right spot in the offensive zone. He did so in the cheekiest manner possible, giving his friend and teammate a bit of a backhanded compliment.
Nylander is having an exceptional season, playing on his own terms. It appears as though he and head coach Craig Berube have developed a strong rapport and a unique understanding, with Berube openly expressing his support for Nylander and actually valuing his input.
With the win, the Maple Leafs extended their lead in the Atlantic Division to 5 points over Florida and stretched their win streak to three games. They'll now prepare for a showdown against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday, aiming to maintain their strong form.
