William Nylander was one of the few Toronto Maple Leafs who could be exempt from criticism during Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, but he took accountability post-game.
Nylander scored the game’s opening goal, was constantly creating chances for his linemates, featuring on the third line alongside Scott Laughton and Calle Jarnkrok through the opening forty minutes, while finishing with a game-best 78.2 percent share of the expected goals at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick. It was all for naught, as the Maple Leafs haven’t won in regulation throughout March.
“I don’t think that we get to our game until at some point in the third period. Just not playing to our level right now,” Nylander said post-game. “I think we just gotta simplify and grind a little bit. That’s it.”
Toronto were out-chanced for the majority of the game, before coming on strong in the third period, but it was academic, as Ottawa held on for the victory.
Nylander was in great form throughout the contest, and like Auston Matthews, took issue with the team’s mistakes in all facets of the game.
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“It’s all over the ice. You know, d-zone, power play, PK, our zone, how we’re playing with the puck. Everything’s gotta be picked up a notch, and dial it up,” Nylander said.
Toronto resumes its schedule Monday against the Calgary Flames, before taking on the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. Nylander and company will need to regain their form quickly, as the Tampa Bay Lightning are now in second in the Atlantic Division, following a 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
“I don’t really know why we’ve been really been playing too good as of late. Rather have this happen now than later. Have a good day off tomorrow and be ready to go on Monday,” Nylander said.