Matthews and Nylander Are Elite & They Make Opponents Pay

Last night, in a game where elite and sudden goal-scoring carried home the win, Auston Matthews and William Nylander made the offensive plays the team needed. The result was a Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both Matthews and Nylander registered strong games to continue their hot offense. 

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Matthews pushed his goal-scoring streak to four games. He also added an assist. He has scored five goals in those four games and eight in his last nine games. Since his upper-body injury, he’s come back on fire by racking up 14 points. He looks fully healed for the first time this season. He also nearly pulled off a spectacular Michigan goal, further showing his offensive ability.

Meanwhile, Nylander continued his steady scoring. His 28th score puts him in second place in the NHL after Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers. Nylander is, in short, putting up another solid season. His consistent scoring makes him a key factor in his Maple Leafs’ winning. 

Both Matthews and Nylander Can Turn the Game on a Dime

Both Matthews and Nylander have been essential in driving the team. As the team’s captain, Matthews leads the charge, and Nylander provides a steady, high-level offense. Nylander is getting better defensively, as well. Together, they’ve become Toronto’s most reliable offensive twosome. Their continued dominance could be the key to the team’s success.

However,  one of their key attributes is that they can absolutely change the course of a game by taking advantage of a defensive mistake on the other team. Last night, after Nikita Kucherov made a rare error with the puck, Nylander turned it into a breakaway goal. Matthews’ goal also came on a breakaway. Give these guys some space; they’ll score on you almost immediately. A game might be ho-hum and back-and-forth, but it can turn suddenly out of nowhere into a score for the blue and white. 

Nylander Plays Differently But Is Just as Effective as Matthews

While playing a different style, Nylander is equally adept at making the most of opponents’ errors. Known for his breakaway ability, Nylander is consistently in the right spots to exploit turnovers and take off down the ice. His offense was on display again with another goal, and like Matthews, he’s always in position to receive passes from playmakers like Mitch Marner, creating prime shooting opportunities.

Both players are great at anticipating and finding open ice. That hockey IQ allows them to get open in dangerous areas and take advantage of sudden scoring chances. Their skill sets and chemistry with Mitch Marner make them Toronto’s most dangerous twosome. If they can keep this up, their continued success will also be a key to the Maple Leafs’ success.

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