William Nylander is set to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup after missing seven games due to injury, facing the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The Leafs have faltered without him, recording a 1-5-1 mark and slipping from playoff contention. With only three games left before the Olympic break, Nylander aims to recapture his pre-injury form against a struggling Vancouver team.
The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to Vancouver for an all-Canadian NHL clash against the Canucks, who currently sit in last place in the league. Nylander, who left a game against the Vegas Golden Knights on January 15 with an injury, tallied 12 points in his six appearances prior to that, including a three-point performance in an earlier meeting with the Canucks this month.
This season, Nylander has averaged 2.02 shots per game, a dip from his four-year average of 3.41. However, with Toronto's need for offensive spark amid their recent skid, he is expected to be more aggressive on the puck. The Canucks have been vulnerable defensively, ranking 32nd in goals allowed per game and surrendering 33.2 shots over their last 10 outings. Their penalty kill has also faltered at 55.3% in January, potentially giving Toronto's top players extended opportunities.
Joining Nylander in the spotlight is Bobby McMann, who has notched points in three of his last four games while playing on the top line alongside Auston Matthews and Max Domi. That trio has generated significant scoring chances despite the team's losses.
The teams have split recent encounters, with the Maple Leafs holding a 4-6 record in the moneyline over the last 10 meetings. This game marks a critical test for Toronto as they seek momentum heading into the Olympic pause.
