Leafs' Nylander gets called out live for pathetic effort in Game 4 vs Lightning (VIDEO)
The Toronto Maple Leafs are becoming more and more known for being a "regular-season team," and a play by Leafs' forward William Nylander last night proves why.
Toronto was down 5-0 with just under five minutes to play to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game four of their best-of-seven series. As Nylander almost had a one-on-one or even a possible breakaway, he fumbled the puck and gave up in the corner so he wouldn't get hit by the Lightning defenseman.
Watch the play here for Nylander's pathetic effort:
Nylander was called out live for the soft play in the corner by play-by-play analysts and former NHLers themselves, Eddie Olcyk and Keith Jones:
Olczyk: "Yeah, just bailed on that play. Nylander had a chance to get to that puck, but he saw Cernak coming, and he absolutely pulled up."
Jones: "That was bad Edzo, good pickup. You hate to see that. If you're on the Leaf bench, it's directly across from you. It's not Nylander's game, but every player needs to get in there and get that puck when it's there."
Olczyk:"Very few guys like to get hit, but I mean, c'mon!"
Just like the NHL alumni said that a few players actually like to get hit, but it's just part of the game, especially come playoff time. Although the Leafs' were down 5-0, they also only had 14 shots through two periods and needed all the offence they could get.
A genuinely pathetic effort from William Nylander, and honestly, it's plays like that are the reason the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't won a playoff series since 2004.
Hilarious to see as a Boston Bruins fan, though!
