Toronto – The Toronto Maple Leafs rebounded on Tuesday night, where their second line played the lead role.
William Nylander, John Tavares and Bobby McMann scored five goals in a 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Nylander made two assists and Tavares also eliminated one as Toronto rebounded from a 5-2 loss to Nashville on Saturday.
“I think we all brought different dynamics,” McMahon said. “John is so brainy that he can see drama on the ice. Willy is so good at playing speed, the speed of his footsteps and the speed of his hands.
“(I) just want to stay competitive and get the puck back and open up space for those guys.”
Leafs head coach Craig Berube believes the success of this line is to add McMann to the equation along with Nylander and Tavares.
“I think since putting Bobby there, it’s only going to increase speed and strength,” Bellub said. “He’s a big guy who can skate. It seems he’s always on the hockey.
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“Created some battles for those guys. They (Tavarez and Nilander) got the hockey, and obviously they could make the game and Johnny could score. So they worked for us because we put them together and I was happy with them.”
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Tavares fell 1-0, putting Toronto on the board at 10:37 in the first phase, while Nylander added another 4:49 left in the power play.
McMann’s 20th goal at Season 1:45 made the situation happen as the Leaves enjoyed the frame of four goals that made the game untouchable. Tavares and Nylander followed suit, David Kampf’s break-up goal, and the remaining 4:52 beat the game.
Max Domi scored 11:32 in the third phase.
Nylander’s two goals helped match him with 40 goals in his career this year. This is the third consecutive season of the 28-year-old Swede to reach 40 goals.
“Just want to do what I pay for, that’s it.”
Meanwhile, Tavares scored his goal-scoring win to three games in three-point night, scoring extended his score to four games (five goals, three assists).
“I’ve been working all the time,” the 34-year-old said of his game. “Every night, it’s a new game, a new night where you can perform and play well and find ways to contribute.
“There is no doubt that when you create opportunities and want to finish games and do them there, there is no doubt on the score sheet. Obviously, it brings motivation to the team, so I’m happy with that position.”
The victory puts the Leafs ahead of the Atlantic Division’s Florida Panthers, thanks to the decisive game, with both teams tied with 89 points, with 11 games remaining. Toronto’s March was inconsistent in one month, with a 5-5-1 record, Nashville won three consecutive victories in losses.
However, Tavares was happy with Tuesday’s team performance.
“I’m like the way we stick to the game,” Tavarez said. “We didn’t get rid of what we did very well.
“We have a better mindset when we stick to the game and trust. We do that, the type of team we have, the depth we have, which allows us to create opportunities well, build leads and control the game.”
This report by Canadian media was first released on March 25, 2025.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
