Stanley Cup Playoffs Day 13: Nylander helps Maple Leafs force Game 7 against Bruins

The Toronto Maple Leafs needed someone to step up in the absence of Auston Matthews in Game 6. And did they ever get one? Or two.

William Nylander had not scored a goal since March 26. And he chose the biggest moment to break that streak.

Nylander’s long-range wrist shot from the right point deflected off Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and past goaltender Jeremy Swayman late in the second period to give the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead. The goal snapped a 13-game goal drought after Nylander scored 40 during the regular season.

The goal also came in a mostly dominant second period for Boston.

After being outshot 12-1 in the first, the Bruins flipped the script, outshooting Toronto 12-8 in the second and really controlling play before the goal. It has been that close all series. After the second period, NHL PR shared that the series had been tied or within one goal 80.6% of the time.

Nylander wasn’t done yet though, and extended the Toronto lead with a backhand on a breakaway after a beautiful spinning pass from Matthew Knies in the neutral zone.

Nylander played 19:49 and finished with five shots in the game.

The third period settled in, with both teams playing a little safer and not creating a lot of chances.

Toronto maintained its lead until Morgan Geekie got the Bruins on the board in the final second of the game to make it 2-1.

25-year-old goaltender Joseph Woll was excellent again for the Maple Leafs, making 22 saves.

Woll has stopped 49 of 51 shots in two games with his team facing elimination.

Now, he will have to do it again in Game 7 from Boston on Saturday.

Boston has to be feeling the pressure. The Bruins blew a 3-1 series lead against the Florida Panthers last year after their record 65-win regular season. They now have to do what they couldn’t last spring, win Game 7 on home ice.

Bring it on.