3 observations from the Maple Leafs' Game 6 win: William Nylander leads and some special attention

Article content

Three observations from Game 6 between the Maple Leafs and the Bruins, won 2-1 by Toronto at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday:

NYLANDER LEADS

You can’t help but wonder if the series would be over — in the Leafs’ favour — if William Nylander didn’t miss the first three games as he endured migraine issues. 

Nylander has just become a pain for the Bruins, scoring on two of his five shots for the only goals that the Leafs required to force Game 7.

His production shines a greater light on Boston’s David Pastrnak, who has gone pointless in the past two games after he had one point in each of the first four contests. 

Nylander led the Leafs with 11 shot attempts in Game 5 and built on that in Game 6, recording a team-high five shots and eight attempts.

For the Bruins to win Game 7, they’re going to have to put a muzzle on Nylander. We’re not sure that’s entirely possible.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

SPECIAL ATTENTION

If the Leafs lose Game 7 and one reason is more power-play failure, how will assistant coach Guy Boucher be able to look himself in the mirror?

Now sitting at 1-for-20 in the series after going 0-for-3 in Game 6, the Leafs couldn’t have looked worse during a four-minute power play in the second period, granted at 1:10 after David Pastrnak high-sticked Tyler Bertuzzi and drew blood.

When the Leafs were able to enter the offensive zone, they couldn’t get set to any great degree. They didn’t get a shot on goalie Jeremy Swayman until two minutes had expired.  

In six minutes of power-play time in the game, the Leafs had three shots on goal.

Luckily, from the Leafs’ view, Toronto was disciplined throughout the game. The only minor Toronto took was on goalie Joseph Woll, who was caught for a tripping call in the second period.

The Leafs were shorthanded 13 times through four games and gave up six power-play goals. It’s no coincidence that in their two wins since, they have been shorthanded just twice and have not been scored upon.

BRAWN NO ISSUE

Time was, the physicality of a playoff series might have caught up to the Leafs — not so with this group.

The Leafs were bounced around a bit in Game 6, but as we’ve seen through the series, there was no wilting. 

Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy led all players in the game with 11 hits and Boston outhit Toronto 55-46 overall. 

The Leafs have answered every physical bell through six games. It hasn’t been a vicious series by any means and, really, the body work is what we should expect in any series that involves teams that have a history with each other. 

We don’t expect Game 7 to be any different. 

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun