Hugely important for this team that he keeps up that pace.
Not really. What's hugely important is how everyone plays in the playoffs. Not just Nylander, but every player on the team, especially the 4 forwards taking up half the cap who have not been able to keep up their scoring pace in the playoffs. Nylander's the one I'm least worried about in that regard, it's the other 3 that are a much bigger concern.
Matthews:
Inconsistent playoff performer and he doesn't look good at all right now.
Marner:
He almost always looks great in the regular season and the first 4 playoff games, then he goes from being a 100 point player to a 40 point player.
JT:
He simply has not produced for us in the playoffs, he's been even a bigger disappointment than Marner in that regard and that's really saying something. He's playing pretty good so far this season which gives me some hope, but he has something to prove as far as I'm concerned.
Nylander:
The only one of the 4 who's production doesn't go way down in the playoffs. With his increased cap hit comes increased expectations but as I said, he's the one I'm least worried about. I also love how he wasn't afraid to say that winning the cup is all that matters, I believe he really means it too.
Nylander's taken so much shit over the years, if we did somehow manage to win the cup, I think he'd be the one I'd be happiest to see win the Conn Smythe.
