All signs point to a playoff ready William Nylander

 

Superstar William Nylander was once again back on the ice for practice as the forward attempts to make a return for Game 4.

William Nylander a full participant today on line with Calle Jarnkork and Pontus Holmberg, plus top power-play unit. Scores on Samsonov and Woll.

Looks like a man ready to play a hockey game.

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) April 26, 2024

 Sportsnet's Luke Fox reported that Nylander participated fully and was a member of the team's starting power-play unit during practices.

Nylander declined to comment on his absence from the starting lineup when he spoke with media following practice.


Nylander said, "It's personal so I'm not going to get into that," but he wouldn't say whether or not he was going to be back in the starting lineup.

Sheldon Keefe, the head coach, stated that the group will decide on Nylander's status for Saturday's Game 4. In addition, Keefe announced that Ilya Lyubushkin, who missed practice on Friday due to the birth of his third kid, was flying back to Toronto from California and would be eligible to play.

 In addition, the Leafs coach announced that Game 4 will be T.J. Brodie's series debut. The seasoned defenseman, who skated on Joel Edmundson's third pairing, was benched for the first three games of the series.

Auston Matthews, who played in Game 3 despite needing to take maintenance days due to an illness, was also starting to regain his stamina, according to Keefe.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was once again back on the ice for practice as the forward attempts to make a return for Game 4.

Nylander was a full participant, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox, and played on the team's top power-play unit during workouts.

Speaking to reporters after practice, Nylander didn't divulge why he's been out of the lineup.

"It's personal so I'm not going to get into that" Nylander explained and wouldn't confirm if he was returning to the lineup.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said the team will make a call on Nylander's status for Game 4 on Saturday. Keefe also noted that Ilya Lyubushkin was returning back to Toronto from California and will be available to play after he missed practice Friday following the birth of his third child.

The Leafs coach also said that T.J. Brodie will make his series debut in Game 4. The veteran defenceman was scratched the first three games of the series and was skating on the third pairing with Joel Edmundson.

Keefe also noted that Auston Matthews was getting his energy back after suffering an illness that has forced him to take maintenance days but he still played in Game 3.

Nylander missed a third straight game to open Toronto's first-round series with the Boston Bruins on Wednesday as he continues to work his way back from an undisclosed injury.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said the injury has been tough to pin down but, according to multiple sources, Nylander has been absent with a migraine so severe that team doctors tested to see if he suffered a concussion.

Friedman adds that one of the reasons for the secrecy around his situation is that an actual diagnosis has been hard to come by, whether it is a migraine, a concussion or something else that could affect that area.

Nylander does admit it hasn't been easy watching the Leafs play as a spectator.

"The games are crazy to watch from home. I've never been so nervous in my life," Nylander said. "I think the guys are doing a great job. and tomorrow's a big game."