A career year across the board won't mean a thing to Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander without some postseason success.
The 26-year-old has set personal bests in goals (39), points (86), shots (504), and average ice time (18:35) in 2022-23 but isn't resting his laurels with the playoffs around the corner.
"I'll be proud when we f-----g win," Nylander said, according to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel.
Toronto is locked into a first-round rematch with the Tampa Bay Lightning beginning next week. The Leafs have qualified for the postseason in each of the past six seasons, and Nylander has been a key contributor despite the team's failure to win a series. He's collected 30 points in 39 playoff games, including a team-leading 15 points over the past two years.
Nylander enters the postseason slumping somewhat by this year's lofty standards. After opening the year with 72 points in 60 games, he's managed only 14 points in 21 contests since. Despite the downtick in production, Nylander thinks his approach has been consistent all season.
"I think it's just mentally," Nylander said of his growth. "Like when you're having a tough game, just trying to grind your way out of that and find something positive to win the game. Whereas maybe in the past it hasn't been as easy for me to get out of those situations like that."
Nylander's final chance to add to his season's totals comes Thursday against the New York Rangers.
Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.