Olympic hockey: William Nylander game-time decision for Sweden’s opener vs. Italy

William Nylander will be a game-time decision for Sweden’s men’s hockey opening game against Italy on Wednesday.

Nylander participated in Sweden’s morning skate, after being previously held out due to maintenance.

“I’m not really sure yet. I need to check with the medical staff and Willy,” Sweden head coach Sam Hallam said of Nylander’s status via TSN’s Mark Masters. “He looked good out there. We’re not going to risk anything for tonight but if he feels good he’s going to play.”

Nylander was placed on Sweden’s top power play unit during Wednesday’s skate, alongside Lucas Raymond, Adrian Kempe, Joel Eriksson Ek and Rasmus Dahlin. It would appear that Nylander is trending towards playing. Nylander missed 17 games this season due to injury and returned to the Leafs’ lineup on January 31, after aggravating a groin injury on January 15.

Hallam also declined to name a starting goaltender, although Filip Gustavsson was the first to leave the ice during Wednesday’s morning skate.

Nylander is a focal point of Sweden’s offence, a dynamic talent that was one of the first six players named to Sweden’s roster. The 29-year-old leads the Toronto Maple Leafs in scoring with 18 goals and 52 points in 40 games.

“Obviously, William Nylander is probably the one that comes closest to mind,” Daily Faceoff’s Uffe Bodin said of Nylander, when discussing potential gamebreakers. “He’s had an up-and-down season, being injured really for the first time in his career and missing a lot of time. But upfront, we have good players. It’s just a matter of can they elevate their game to the level, really competing with the best in the world.”