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The Toronto Maple Leafs were one wrong name away from a possible postseason-changing disaster.
Before puck drop in Thursday’s Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators, a glaring mistake nearly removed one of Toronto’s "Core Four" players from the game entirely.
The issue stemmed from an error involving the Nylander brothers. Toronto listed Alex Nylander—currently playing for the Leafs' AHL affiliate team—on the official roster instead of William Nylander, due to a number mix-up on the game sheet.
Alex wears No. 92 while William wears No. 88. The mistake, if not caught in time, would have made William ineligible to play under NHL Rule 5.1.
Elliotte Friedman explained the scenario on Sportsnet and the impact the blunder could have had in Game 6.
“Number 92 Alexander Nylander, Willie’s brother, is listed, and Willie is listed as a scratch," Friedman said. "Now, Rule 5.1 is: Before the game, if an on or off-ice official notices, which clearly somebody did, you can go to the team and say, ‘We’re going to allow you to make the correction.’
”But if the puck had dropped and the game had started, and nobody had noticed this, Willie Nylander could have been removed from the game.”
Toronto was already facing a high-stakes, high-pressure situation on the road after blowing a 3-0 series lead and seeing the Senators claw back to force Game 6 in Ottawa.
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (88) speaks to the media following the team win against the Ottawa Senators in game six.Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Instead of losing Nylander, as Friedman said, the officials present at the Canadian Tire Centre probably warned the Leafs about their gaffe, allowing him to flip the brothers' numbers in the sheet and William to appear in Game 6.
Nylander, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Thursday, went on to make the difference in the game. He scored Toronto’s second goal just 43 seconds into the second period, then sealed the series with an empty-netter late in the third, finishing with two goals and an assist in the 4-2 win.
Toronto will now face the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, in a second-round matchup that could still be up in the air had William Nylander not played yesterday.
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Before puck drop in Thursday’s Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators, a glaring mistake nearly removed one of Toronto’s "Core Four" players from the game entirely.
The issue stemmed from an error involving the Nylander brothers. Toronto listed Alex Nylander—currently playing for the Leafs' AHL affiliate team—on the official roster instead of William Nylander, due to a number mix-up on the game sheet.
Alex wears No. 92 while William wears No. 88. The mistake, if not caught in time, would have made William ineligible to play under NHL Rule 5.1.
Elliotte Friedman explained the scenario on Sportsnet and the impact the blunder could have had in Game 6.
“Number 92 Alexander Nylander, Willie’s brother, is listed, and Willie is listed as a scratch," Friedman said. "Now, Rule 5.1 is: Before the game, if an on or off-ice official notices, which clearly somebody did, you can go to the team and say, ‘We’re going to allow you to make the correction.’
”But if the puck had dropped and the game had started, and nobody had noticed this, Willie Nylander could have been removed from the game.”
Toronto was already facing a high-stakes, high-pressure situation on the road after blowing a 3-0 series lead and seeing the Senators claw back to force Game 6 in Ottawa.
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Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (88) speaks to the media following the team win against the Ottawa Senators in game six.Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Instead of losing Nylander, as Friedman said, the officials present at the Canadian Tire Centre probably warned the Leafs about their gaffe, allowing him to flip the brothers' numbers in the sheet and William to appear in Game 6.
Nylander, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Thursday, went on to make the difference in the game. He scored Toronto’s second goal just 43 seconds into the second period, then sealed the series with an empty-netter late in the third, finishing with two goals and an assist in the 4-2 win.
Toronto will now face the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, in a second-round matchup that could still be up in the air had William Nylander not played yesterday.
Related: Auston Matthews' Immediate Reaction to Maple Leafs' Series Win vs. Senators
Related: Brady Tkachuk's 'Devastating' Message After Maple Leafs Eliminate Senators
Related: Brady Tkachuk's 'Devastating' Message After Maple Leafs Eliminate Senators
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