The Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling in late March after years of results not matching expectations. Defensive issues and injuries have hurt their playoff push. William Nylander has led the attack, but the team still finds itself outside the playoff line as the final games approach.
The situation has shifted even more after their captain, Auston Matthews, suffered a season-ending injury following a hit in their game against the Anaheim Ducks. Now they are getting a rematch against Anaheim, which brings extra attention due to an expected response.
How William Nylander Is Leading the Maple Leafs into Their Ducks Rematch Following Auston Matthews’ Injury
Nylander has taken a larger role in Toronto’s offense since Matthews was ruled out for the rest of the 2025–26 season. Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion on March 12, after the Ducks’ Radko Gudas delivered a knee-on-knee hit. Matthews later had surgery on March 19, and his recovery timeline is expected to last around 12 weeks.
The incident led to immediate discipline for Gudas, who received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct in the game. The league later issued a five-game suspension. Since then, he has also dealt with a lower-body injury and has been seen in a walking boot ahead of the next meeting between the teams, leaving his availability uncertain.
Toronto’s season has shifted since that night, with Nylander now serving as the main scoring option. He leads the team with 67 points, while the Maple Leafs hold a 31-30-13 record and sit outside the playoff picture in the Atlantic Division.
Before the injury, Toronto was already dealing with an eight-game skid that was putting pressure on the team. Since then, the team has played at a near-.500 pace but has not been able to gain ground in the standings. The upcoming matchup against Anaheim now adds more focus as both teams meet again after the March 12 game.
Nylander addressed the situation ahead of the game and spoke about the importance of the rematch. He said, “Obviously, it’s going to be a game that means a lot for our side.”
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Anaheim enters the game with a 41-28-4 record and brings stronger form into the matchup compared to Toronto’s recent run. Gudas has posted 2 goals, 11 assists, 160 hits, and 45 penalty minutes in 54 games this season, giving the Ducks a physical edge when he is in the lineup.
As both teams prepare for tonight’s meeting, Toronto looks to respond on the ice while continuing to adjust without Matthews in the lineup.
