William Nylander opened the Eastern Conference Second Round with a statement performance, scoring the first two goals of the game and assisting another one in the first period of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-4 win over the Florida Panthers.
Nylander’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by former NHL defenseman and current ESPN analyst P.K. Subban, who praised his outing after the broadcast of Game 1.
“The way he plays—this guy is an elite player,” Subban said. “The media, fans, everybody is going to talk about inconsistencies, but I tell you—when it comes to talent and big game players, this guy loves the moment.”
Subban continued to praise Nylander’s performance, pointing to his pedigree and poise under pressure.
CALL EM THE CORE 5 NOT CORE 4#LeafsForeverpic.twitter.com/CvWVgAO48a
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 6, 2025
“The bigger the moment gets, the bigger the game…” Subban said. “He steps up in the big games, and I like the way he plays. Maybe that has to do with the hockey bloodlines. He’s been groomed for it.
”But this guy is a big game player, and he showed it tonight.”
Nylander gave Toronto a 1–0 lead just 33 seconds into the game and added a second goal midway through the first period, capitalizing on a rebound.
By scoring two goals on Monday after doing the same against the Ottawa Senators in the series-clinching Game 6 on Thursday, Nylander became the 10th player in Maple Leafs history to record consecutive multi-goal games in the playoffs.
Subban also suggested that the Leafs’ “Core Four” needs to be redefined by adding a new member to it after the Game 1 result.
“It’s not the Core Four anymore,” Subban said. “Put [Matthew Knies] in there. It’s the Core Five.
”Because without him, they ain’t going anywhere.”
Knies scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the third period and added an assist.
With the win, Toronto leads the series 1-0. Game 2 is set for Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto before the series shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4.
Related: Auston Matthews’ Message Will Fire Up Maple Leafs Before Panthers Series