
A tough blow for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When speaking to the media, head coach Craig Berube confirmed that forward William Nylander will not play on Sunday night against the Detroit Red Wings and is considered day-to-day.
William Nylander will not play tonight, Craig Berube confirms. He’s considered day-to-day. Easton Cowan will enter the lineup and that’s the only changes as far as skaters go. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) December 28, 2025
Nylander’s absence stems from a lower-body injury that he suffered during the team’s matchup with the rival Ottawa Senators on Saturday night, the latest edition of the Battle of Ontario. The Swedish national left the game in the second period, not long after a net-mouth scramble that led to him being engaged with Senators defender Artem Zub.
Nylander was noticeably uncomfortable as play continued. It has yet to be confirmed whether that’s what caused his ailment.
Nylander hasn't been on the bench for some time
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 28, 2025
this seems to be the issue pic.twitter.com/CTRLa0y70P
Nylander opened the scoring just 40 seconds into the contest, potting a power-play marker with his 14th goal of the season. It was the third goal and fifth point in two games, as he posted four points in the Leafs’ 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins last Tuesday.
Toronto managed to snag a win in a wild 7-5 contest, giving the team back-to-back victories.
While the Leafs have been as inconsistent as the San Andreas Fault, the 29-year-old has been one of the team’s most productive players. In 33 games, he has registered 27 assists and 41 points, leading the team in scoring. Nylander is also the lone player on the roster to have hit the 40-point mark thus far, posting 13 multi-point performances.
The Leafs (17-15-5) are still last in the Atlantic Division, but are just three points back of the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
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