Leafs all-star William Nylander a ‘possibility’ for Game 3 vs. Bruins

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Will he or won’t he?

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Whether William Nylander makes his series debut in Game 3 on Wednesday as the best-of-seven series between the Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins shifts back to Toronto, well, coach Sheldon Keefe wouldn’t say.

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Or couldn’t say.

Keefe spoke to media in Boston on Tuesday morning before the Leafs headed to the airport to fly home, tied 1-1 in the series after an impressive win in Game 2. The Leafs did not go on the ice before getting on their flight.

“No update (on Nylander),” Keefe said. “Not much happening for us here except for getting ready to travel, but he is a possibility for us (for Game 3), I guess is all we would say.”

So, Keefe is saying there’s a chance.

While it’s not common for an injured player to return to the lineup before participating in a full practice, this is the Stanley Cup playoffs we’re talking about, when probably every player is enduring some sort of ailment each time he steps on to the ice. Pushing through pain is part of the deal and, if Nylander can manage that, then get him back in.

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Considering Nylander didn’t miss a game during the regular season and was in the lineup as recently as last Wednesday in Tampa Bay, it’s tough to imagine he would have some rust if he does play in Game 3. 

The expectation should be that Nylander could make an impact immediately, but if it turns out the Leafs have to wait until Game 4 on Saturday in Toronto for that, so be it.

Through two games, the Leafs have given the Bruins plenty to ponder.

Auston Matthews drove the bus right through the heart of Beantown on Monday night in Game 2, taking no prisoners as he dominated in all zones during the 3-2 victory.

Matthews never has required further motivation, but he’s capable of cranking it up another notch on Wednesday in front of Leafs Nation.

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Of Matthews’ 69 goals during the regular season, 39 were scored at Scotiabank Arena.

How to contain Matthews is becoming a greater concern for the Bruins.

“Great players are going to make plays,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told media in Boston on Tuesday before the team travelled to Toronto.

“What I’ve been impressed about with him is how tenacious he has been on pucks, how tenacious he has been on the forecheck. He has been relentless with his work ethic. 

“First goal (by Max Domi in Game 2), he wins a battle, rings it off the cross bar, ends up in our net. The other play (the Matthews winner), he gets in behind us. We can’t let him get in behind us. 

“The most dangerous man on the ice, you have to be tighter with. He’s the most dangerous man on the ice because he has earned it.”

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With Matthews setting the tone, the overall tenacity and physicality on the part of the Leafs has been a marked departure from what opponents have seen in the past when playing Toronto.

Plenty of hockey remains in this series, of course, but the Bruins realize they’re playing against a different Leafs animal this time around.

And keep in mind this really is just the first phase of the team that general manager Brad Treliving wants to build in the wake of the Kyle Dubas era.

“They’re built different than in the past years, playing a lot more physical, committed to forechecking, playing tight defensively,” Bruins captain Brad Marchand said on Tuesday. “You have to give them credit. 

“When you add their offensive ability on top of that, they are a tough team to play right now. We’re seeing it. Even the first game, it was a different game than the score (5-1 for Boston). 

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“We knew it was going to be a battle. They have showed up and are playing for keeps. It’s a good challenge.”

That challenge should only increase once Nylander returns. And think of it growing to another degree when Mitch Marner starts making an offensive impact.

“I don’t know if you necessarily adjust when you lose players,” Keefe said. “It affects you on special teams, power play especially. Game 1 we went with (Calle) Jarnkrok (on the top unit), (Game 2) we went with (Tyler) Bertuzzi. You try to fill the void and find something that works.

“At five-on-five, you plug the hole. Jarnkrok comes back at time when we lose Willie, so that is helpful and you press on. 

“In terms of our game and style of play, you don’t overthink that. It’s playoff time and there is a certain style of play that is required whether Willie is in or not.

“We have done a pretty good job of that through two games.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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