William Nylander skates, Auston Matthews earns a break. What we learned at Maple Leafs practice before Game 3

“We just decided to keep him off,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. “He took the option.”

It wasn’t an option for anyone else as the Leafs prepared for Game 3 against the Boston Bruins with the series tied at a game apiece.

Front and centre was Nylander, running drills with Pontus Holmberg and Calle Järnkrok while their regular left winger — Nicholas Robertson — took Matthews’ place on the top line.

All of that suggested Nylander would play. Then Nylander remained out with the scratches while Robertson left the ice early. That suggests Robertson will play, Nylander won’t.

Then Keefe chimed in just to make sure everything was clear as mud.

“There’s a chance (he plays),” Keefe said of Nylander. “Everything for him is how he responds and we’ll take it from there.”

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• Dec 31, 1969
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• Dec 31, 1969
• Comments

As for what the Bruins think about Nylander: “I would say I’m hoping he’s not playing again tonight,” said Montgomery.

Stats pack

History is on the Bruins’ side when it comes to Game 3s.

• The Leafs are 5-16 all time when splitting a best-of-seven series that started on the road.
• The Leafs are 22-27 all time in Game 3s at home.
• The Bruins are 20-11 all time when splitting a best-of-seven series that started at home.
• The Bruins are 36-25 in Game 3s on the road.