There’s an update on the condition of Toronto Maple Leaf William Nylander’s injury and why he’s been out of the lineup. However, no update on the timeline for his availability has been provided. But there are hints that it time to enter the lineup has arrived just in time for game four. The injury is being reported as him suffering from severe migraines. But the cause or subsequent remedy has alluded everyone involved. Furthermore, the club’s medical staff have gone so far as testing him for concussions. Also, Nylander had previously experienced migraines and tried to switch to a tinted visor to alleviate the intensity. This is only the second time in Nylander’s career he has to miss time due to an injury. This William Nylander injury update doesn’t seem positive up until this point, but if he can get back into action that will be a really good sign. Nylander missed practice in Boston on Friday, which is the first practice he’s missed. Also, was caught wearing sunglasses inside.
“I’ve never been so nervous in my life.”
On pins and needles watching from home, William Nylander looks ready to enter the playoffs (+ how Toronto’s Game 4 lineup could look different): https://t.co/NrXgjCHzrF pic.twitter.com/suxCQrrMOT
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) April 26, 2024
William Nylander Injury Update on Migraine Issue
A head injury is always scary but even more so when there is not a clear cause. That makes treating it and recovery much more of a mystery. Hopefully for Nylander and the Leafs his condition improves soon.
Looking at Nylander’s Statistics and His Importance to the Leafs Offence
Nylander has been a huge part of the Leafs offence this year, and for the past few seasons. As we see from the table below, Nylander has been extremely consistent in terms of offensive production.
| Year | GP | G | A | Pts | Team Rank |
| 23-24 | 82 | 40 | 58 | 98 | 2nd |
| 22-23 | 82 | 40 | 47 | 87 | 2nd |
| 21-22 | 81 | 34 | 46 | 80 | 3rd |
| 20-21 | 51 | 17 | 25 | 42 | 4th |
This past year was exceptionally strong for Nylander. His goals (tied for), assists, and points were all career-highs. In addition, he hit career marks in shots (316), and ice time (19:55). He was effective on the power play as well, averaging 7.6 points per 60 minutes. In terms of offence, the Leafs really wish they had him in the lineup.
The Bruins Goaltending Tandem Has Been Lights Out
Compounding the issue for the Leafs offence, has been the play of Jeremy Swayman. Even though it is the Boston Bruins strategy to rotate goalies, the Leafs would much prefer Linus Ullmark in the net. Including regular season and playoffs, the Leafs have struggled against the Bruins with a 0-5-2 record. In those games Swayman’s SV% is .957 and Ullmark’s is .919. Meanwhile, from the regular season, Nylander collected two assists through the four games.
What Does this William Nylander Injury Update Mean?
In any sense, the Leafs need to get their potent offence engaged. In the three games in the first round series of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Bruins, only three players have more than one point. Those players are Max Domi, Auston Matthews, and Tyler Bertuzzi. However, Mitch Marner needs to get going with a single assist in the first three games. He has four shots on goal, which isn’t going to generate offence. It’s not like he isn’t getting opportunity, as he has been logging 21:12 of ice time. Also, Matthews needs to get going with only one goal on 16 shots. That’s good for a 6.3 S%. We can’t expect his regular season rate of 18.7%, but he needs to be average at least. Maybe Nylander’s absence makes the Leafs that much easier to gameplan against.
Main photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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