Former NHLer Shreds William Nylander Following Dismal Performance vs. Senators
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
A former NHLer is ridiculing Maple Leafs forward William Nylander over his lack of effort in critical moments of the Leafs' Game 5 loss to the Senators on Tuesday.
Since Tuesday night, the Leafs, specifically the 'Core 4', have been consistently slammed in the media for their lack of effort with much of the disdain being directed at pending UFA Mitch Marner.
On Wednesday, however, current NHL Network analyst and former player Mike Rupp chose to pick on another member of the team, William Nylander, for his lackadaisical efforts throughout critical moments of Game 5.
"I don't want to call out Willy Nylander, but the shorthanded goal against, his body language stunk. It stunk. This guy could run this league. He is that talented, but he doesn't have that killer instinct.
We've talked about Auston Matthews in Game 7's... Doesn't have that killer instinct. At some point, you have to lead. You have to lead in this situation. You have 17 guys on your bench that are watching that want to see you get uncomfortable.
If you get uncomfortable, it gets everyone jacked up. He just won't do it. It drives me nuts. His give a 'you know what' isn't there unless he has the puck."
We've talked about Auston Matthews in Game 7's... Doesn't have that killer instinct. At some point, you have to lead. You have to lead in this situation. You have 17 guys on your bench that are watching that want to see you get uncomfortable.
If you get uncomfortable, it gets everyone jacked up. He just won't do it. It drives me nuts. His give a 'you know what' isn't there unless he has the puck."
In elimination games, Nylander has been the top performer of the 'Core 4' offensively, but the questions surrounding his effort on the defensive side of the puck continue to follow him.
With a second opportunity to close out the series, Leafs Nation is hoping for a dominant performance from not just Nylander, but the rest of the core Thursday night in Game 6.
| POLL | ||
MAI 1 | 1865 ANSWERS Former NHLer Shreds William Nylander Following Dismal Performance vs. Senators Will the Leafs clinch the series on Thursday night? | ||
| Yes | 1470 | 78.8 % |
| Game 7 here we come | 395 | 21.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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