The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs played Game 2 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Wednesday night. Toronto looked strong after a dominant 5-4 win in Game 1, but Florida responded with a much better effort in Game 2.
One constant throughout the series so far has been the performance of Maple Leafs star forward William Nylander. Coming off a three-point outing—two goals and one assist—in Game 1, Nylander scored a pivotal second-period goal in Game 2 to tie the game at two.
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The Leafs went on to win 4-3 despite a strong push from the Panthers, taking a 2-0 series lead. Nylander extended his playoff total to six goals, seven assists, and 13 points in eight games.
That’s tied for the third-most points in the first eight games of a playoff run in Maple Leafs history, and his 26th career playoff goal ranks fifth in franchise history.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) in Game 2 against the Florida Panthers.© John E. Sokolowski
Following the game, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice discussed Nylander’s impact, claiming, “There may not be anybody better at it than he is.”
“His ability to control the puck and change angles, change directions, is elite,” Maurice said. “There may not be anybody better at it than he is.”
Nylander is in his 10th NHL season after being drafted eighth overall in the 2014 draft. He played in all 82 games this season, finishing second in the league in goals scored with 45. He also added 39 assists, bringing his point total to 84.
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He and the Maple Leafs will head to Florida for Game 3, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
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