Nylander shines, enjoying Maple Leafs' climb out of the basement
The Toronto Maple Leafs did it again. They won.
The Calgary Flames were Toronto's latest victim, falling 5-2 at the Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs improved to 5-2-1 in their last eight games, despite a roster full of young players, many fresh from the AHL.
William Nylander had the best game of his brief career, scoring once and adding two assists. The performance came with Swedish national team head coach Par Marts in the building, in town to scout Nylander ahead of May's world championships.
Nylander's focused on the right now, though.
"It's fun when we're winning," the 19-year-old said.
NHL Firsts tonight for William Nylander: 2-assist game, 3-point game, game-winning goal. Also won 9-18 draws, 68% possession.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) March 22, 2016
"(The) more games you play, (the) more confident you get," Nylander added. "Won't say I'll keep putting up this amount of points. Just want to work and get better."
As for his future after the Maple Leafs' season ends, he knows what he wants to do: win some more in blue and white.
Nylander on being considered for worlds: "Of course, I'm happy they're looking, but first (priority is) to go try win a (Calder) Cup"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 22, 2016
After the game, head coach Mike Babcock confirmed Nylander will be playing in the AHL playoffs and not the world championships.
With the win, the Maple Leafs now have 63 points on the season. They remain in last place, but are only one point behind the Winnipeg Jets, and two points behind the Edmonton Oilers - with three games in hand. Columbus, with 68 points, is also within reach.
Maple Leafs fans want a last-place finish. Maple Leafs players don't. Here's proof:
"We don't want to be in last place," Morgan Rielly said.