Maple Leafs prepare for William Nylander to play in Game 4 | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5FM · 1360AM

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander will start in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night, coach Sheldon Keefe said.

Keefe told reporters Saturday morning that the team is “preparing for Willy's deployment at this time.”

Nylander was forced to miss the first three games of the series due to an undisclosed injury. Boston holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

While Nylander did not participate in the optional morning skate on Saturday, star Auston Matthews took to the ice after skipping practice on Friday for what the team described as a “maintenance day.” Matthews remained on the scoresheet in Games 1 and 3 and totaled three points (one goal, two assists) in Toronto's 3-2 win in Game 2 on Monday.

The 26-year-old Matthews recorded career highs in goals (69) and points (107) during the 2023-24 season.

Nylander, who turns 28 next week, set a career-high 98 points (40 goals, career-high 58 assists) and played in all 82 games this season. However, he did not score a goal in his last eleven games of the season.

Nylander was drafted 8th overall by Toronto in 2014 and has 528 points (217 goals, 311 assists) in 603 regular season games. He has 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 50 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

–Field level media