And if everybody works hard and you don't have someone to finish, the hard work is wasted. Montreal has worked hard this whole series and has 4 goals in 4 games the same as Nylander. Maybe they'd be doing better if they had a finisher or two.
Leafs play better with the lead and that's what Nylander gave them last night. Who knows how the game turns without that lead. It definitely gave them more ability to apply more offensive pressure as was evidenced that soon after they had a 3-0 in the 2nd. He put them on a roll. He gave them momentum and momentum is huge in every sport. Or do you feel that momentum is not important?
Nylander is no Messier or Trottier, but he has elite skill and right now that skill has made him a leader for the team. Undeniable.
I didn't realize that working hard and being a good finisher were mutually exclusive.
And besides, hard work is never wasted, it makes you the best you can be however talented or limited.
What makes you think he's such a great finisher?
Hyman scored at a better clip than Nylander this year, is Hyman considered a finisher.
I don't care that Hyman played on Matthews' line, his goals came from hard work, he's the hardest working player in the game.
Why would you look at Montreal as the benchmark, if Leafs move out of their division, they'll
go up against teams that are talented, finish, and work like demons, I don't understand why you would set your expectations so low.
A leader on this team? You've got to be joking. His name has never come up that way, and it still doesn't.
You and some of your buddies seem to think so, no one else in the hockey world even hints at it.
This guy's effort has always been an issue.
He does have elite skill for sure, but he's not an elite player, he doesn't play on an elite level and he doesn't produce on an elite level.
THAT is what makes fans turn on him.
You think I'm a hater, this is what I wrote after they lost in game 1.
It's only game 1, lots of hockey left.
Matthews is showing some ferocity, I love it when his mojo is in overdrive.
Nylander showed up to play, you could feel the fire in his belly, he was engaged on every level.
Kudos to him for manning up.
Haven't seen it since, I don't care how many rebounds he taps in or finishes off somebody else's nice set up.
This guy needs to grow the fuck up and show some commitment to his teammates, and the fans.