Maple Leafs react to William Nylander recording his 3rd straight 40-goal season

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander reached the 40-goal plateau during Tuesday’s dominant win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

With two goals and two assists on the night, Nylander became the fifth player in franchise history to reach the 40-goal mark thrice and the fourth to do so in three consecutive seasons. He is now tied for third among Leafs players for most 40-goal seasons behind only Darryl Sittler and Auston Matthews.

“I mean, that’s pretty cool, but my focus is on getting ready for the playoffs right now,” Nylander said to reporters on becoming the second Swedish player ever to record three straight 40-goal seasons. “ That’s obviously fun to accomplish that, I’m playing with great players. But what matters is the playoffs.”

With Matthews missing time due to injury, it has been Nylander who has run away with the team lead in goals which would be the first time he did so uncontested. He also became just the second player this season to surpass the 40-goal mark after Leon Draisatil did so.

An injury to Draisaitl this week leaves the door open for Nylander to close the gap in an attempt to capture his first career Rocket Trophy. While he is certainly more concerned about the playoffs, his teammates can’t help but marvel at his brilliance.

“ He’s awesome. I love watching Will play. He’s one-of-one for sure the way he plays the game,” forward Max Domi said. “ I mean that in a really huge compliment, obviously. He makes everyone around him better.  He hangs on to the puck and he can just make guys look silly out there. Set up his teammate or alternate to go one-on-two, one-on-one, one-on-three, whatever it is and then he makes something out of nothing.”

Nylander was not the only player who had an exceptional showing offensively against the Flyers as John Tavares had four points of his own. With 32 goals on the season after Tuesday’s win, Tavares is within striking range of being the second Leaf to reach the 40-goal mark. If he ends up doing so, it will be thanks in large part to having Nylander as his linemate.

“He’s a lot of fun to play with. S uch a unique talent,” Tavares said. “ The way he’s just elevated his game the last number of years and just becoming a perennial all-star, one of the top wingers in the game, and such a game-breaker. One of the ultimate game-breakers in our league and we’re thrilled to have him.  He’s having a great year and 40 is difficult to get.”

If the Leafs wish to go on a meaningful run in the spring, they will need all of the help they can get from their Swedish superstar who is once again having a solid season. Nylander has arguably been their MVP up-front and has shown no signs of regression, after reaching an extension in January 2024. He has been the model of consistency up front and has been making his linemates better. But to Nylander, he is simply doing what he needs to do to get his team the win every night.

“Just trying to do what I’m paid to do. That’s it,” Nylander said.