William Nylander reveals details about his mysterious injury
Following the Maple Leafs' OT loss in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins, William Nylander discussed what kept him out of the lineup in Games 1, 2 and 3 of the series.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were hit by a truck when it came to their injury report in their first round series defeat against the Boston Bruins. Every NHL team goes through a laundry list of injuries throughout the season and playoffs but the Maple Leafs found themselves behind the 8-ball when William Nylander missed the first 3 games, followed by Auston Matthews being forced out of Game 4 and missing Games 5 and 6, and then Joseph Woll missing the all-important Game 7.
Nylander played in all 82 games during the regular season, including the finale against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a game that had no importance towards the playoff picture. Then all of a sudden, the 98-point scorer was absent from practices and subsequently missed the first 3 games of the series with an undisclosed ailment.
Nylander revealed to reporters at the end of Game 7 that he was suffering from migraines and that the Maple Leafs staff was concerned it might have been a concussion. His vision was impaired and it affected his vision.
Boston took a 2-1 series lead with Nylander on the mend. While his return didn't lead to a win right away, his play in Games 5 and 6 proved vital in the Maple Leafs coming back and forcing a Game 7. He then scored the game's opening goal midway through the third period after finishing off a Matthews feed for a one-timer past Jeremy Swayman. Unfortunately, Hampus Lindholm tied the game just 1:21 later and then he set up David Pastrnak's overtime winner to seal the series victory.
Had Nylander been in the lineup much sooner, the series could have shifted in Toronto's favour. Tough break and poor timing for an injury, really.
| POLL | ||
MAI 5 | 1161 ANSWERS William Nylander reveals details about his mysterious injury If Nylander had played the entire series, would the Leafs have taken down the Bruins? | ||
| Yes, his impact was huge | 880 | 75.8 % |
| No, Boston was far better early on in the series | 281 | 24.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
