Nylander moves to centre for Maple Leafs with Kadri suspended for series
TORONTO — William Nylander will take Nazem Kadri’s place at centre on Toronto’s third line behind John Tavares and Auston Matthews when the Maple Leafs host the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their first-round series Monday.
Nylander slid over from the wing to set up shop between Patrick Marleau and Connor Brown at the morning skate.
The move isn’t unfamiliar for the 22-year-old, who also shifted to the middle earlier this season when Kadri was out injured.
“He’s got to play hard,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said. “It’s real simple. The team that played the hardest won Game 1. The team that played the hardest won Game 2.