Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was once again back on the ice for practice as the forward attempts to make a return for Game 4.
Nylander was a full participant, according to Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, and played on the team’s top power-play unit during workouts.
Speaking to reporters after practice, Nylander didn’t divulge why he’s been out of the lineup.
“It’s personal so I’m not going to get into that” Nylander explained and wouldn’t confirm if he was returning to the lineup.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe said the team will make a call on Nylander’s status for Game 4 on Saturday. Keefe also noted that Ilya Lyubushkin was returning back to Toronto from California and will be available to play after he missed practice Friday following the birth of his third child.
The Leafs coach also said that T.J. Brodie will make his series debut in Game 4. The veteran defenceman was scratched the first three games of the series and was skating on the third pairing with Joel Edmundson.
Keefe also noted that Austin Matthews was getting his energy back after suffering an illness that has forced him to take maintenance days but he still played in Game 3.
Nylander missed a third straight game to open Toronto’s first-round series with the Boston Bruins on Wednesday as he continues to work his way back from an undisclosed injury.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the injury has been tough to pin down but, according to multiple sources, Nylander has been absent with a migraine so severe that team doctors tested to see if he suffered a concussion.
Friedman adds that one of the reasons for the secrecy around his situation is that an actual diagnosis has been hard to come by, whether it is a migraine, a concussion or something else that could affect that area.
Nylander does admit it hasn’t been easy watching the Leafs play as a spectatoor.
“The games are crazy to watch from home. I’ve never been so nervous in my life,” Nylander said. “I think the guys are doing a great job. and tomorrow’s a big game.”
In September 2022, Nylander told reporters he switched to a tinted visor because of migraines he’d suffered the previous season.
The 27-year-old took part in line rushes alongside Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg at Wednesday’s morning skate after missing the first two games of the Original Six matchup, but stayed out late on the ice at Scotiabank Arena with the projected scratches.
Nylander’s spot in the lineup was once again taken by rookie forward Nick Robertson.
Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said there was a chance Nylander — who was also on the ice Monday morning with his teammates ahead of Game 2 at TD Garden, but didn’t take line rushes — would suit up in front of the home fans Wednesday.
Instead, the Swede missed a third straight game after suiting up for all 82 in the regular season.
Nylander put up 40 goals for the second straight campaign and set a career-high with 98 points in 2023-24, but registered just four assists over his final 11 appearances down the stretch.
Nylander had four goals and 10 points in 11 playoff games last spring as Toronto won a series for the first time in nearly two decades. He’s combined for 17 goals and 40 points in 50 career post-season contests.
