CALGARY – William Nylander’s return to Toronto’s lineup has sparked the Maple Leafs’ return to the win column.
Nylander scored his 18th objective of the season and added two assists on Monday to guide the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-2 NHL victory over the Calgary Flames.
“He’s simply so good and so harmful,” stated linemate John Tavares. “His capacity — it looks as if the puck is glued to his stick, following him across the ice — that’s what makes nice gamers particular is their capacity to regulate the sport and the issues circulate via them.”
After going 1-5-1 whereas Nylander was sidelined with a groin damage, the Leafs have received two straight upon his return.
“He’s so dynamic,” stated goaltender Joseph Woll, who made 28 saves. “Each time he’s on the ice, he’s a risk to attain. So, it’s a giant confidence increase having him up there, and clearly it’s nice to have him again.”
Nylander put his stamp on this sport simply 35 seconds in.
With the Flames buzzing dangerously across the Toronto finish, Jonathan Huberdeau’s move was intercepted by Tavares, who sprung Nylander on a breakaway and his snap shot gave the guests a lead they’d not relinquish.
“Nice play by John,” stated Nylander. “We’ve been enjoying from behind quite a bit these days, so it was good to get that one early.”
Associated Movies
The 28-year-old right-winger continued his prowess within the second interval, neatly establishing Matias Maccelli at 7:17 to make it 2-0, then lower than two minutes later, discovering Troy Stecher breaking to the web and the defenceman buried what would find yourself being the game-winner.
Get breaking Nationwide information
For information impacting Canada and world wide, join breaking information alerts delivered on to you once they occur.
“He’s (Nylander) unbelievable, man, I want I might play that approach,” stated Stecher with a smile. “He’s so gifted, clearly, and he simply performs with a lot confidence. And if he makes a mistake, it doesn’t beat him up, he’s nonetheless on the market making performs.
“He’s one of many prime gamers on this planet for a purpose. It’s spectacular to look at him daily do what he does.”
Leafs coach Craig Berube pointed to that third objective for instance of the dynamic offence that line and his group can produce.
“An excellent four-on-four objective,” stated the Toronto bench boss. “Simply the motion, you get on four-on-four, it’s man-on-man, and (Stecher) beat his man to the web and Willy made an excellent play to him, and he made a pleasant transfer on the goalie.”
Berube says it’s the kind of impression Nylander can have.
“Having Willy again has actually boosted our group quite a bit. Clearly, he is a superb participant on this league, and having him within the lineup makes us a way more harmful group.”
Nylander leads the membership in scoring with 51 factors (18 targets, 33 assists), regardless of lacking 17 video games because of damage.
On a points-per-game foundation, Nylander is having the best season of his profession averaging 1.31 factors per sport, which ranks ninth within the league.
“I believed our line, clearly pushed by him, simply making good performs, staying exhausting on pucks. I believe simply doing a reasonably good job all through the impartial zone for a lot of the evening, and allowed us to realize some good puck possession,” stated Tavares. “Use our skills to unfold the ice, transfer the puck, and clearly, when Willy will get it in areas, he’s as harmful as anyone.”
It was additionally a homecoming of kinds for Nylander, who was born in Calgary whereas his father, Michael, performed for the Flames within the mid-’90s. In 26 profession video games, he’s piled up 36 factors (13 targets, 23 assists). In his final seven journeys to Calgary, he has 14 factors (4 targets, 10 assists).
“I haven’t actually thought an excessive amount of about it, I imply I used to be solely a year-and-a-half once I was right here,” he stated. “So I don’t actually keep in mind something, however, it’s a pleasant place to be.”
Bobby McMann, into an empty internet, additionally scored for Toronto which strikes to inside seven factors of the Boston Bruins, who occupy the second wild-card berth within the Japanese Convention.
“I’ve quite a lot of perception on this group that doesn’t waver no matter outcomes,” stated Woll. “I see our methods we play. I see how stable we’re in entrance of me and the way dynamic we’re at scoring. So, I’ve all the boldness on this planet on this group and we’ve simply obtained to maintain it rolling.”
The Leafs will look to make it an ideal Western Canada highway journey once they play their last sport earlier than the Olympic Break on Tuesday evening in Edmonton.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Feb. 3, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
