The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without their leading scorer for at least a game.
Star winger William Nylander will miss Friday’s game against the Washington Capitals with an illness, according to head coach Craig Berube.
Nylander, 29, has been one of the Leafs’ rare bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season. In 20 games played, the 2014 eighth-overall pick has 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points. He’s coming off a game in which he almost single-handedly got Toronto two points, as he drew the primary assist on the game-tying goal before scoring the overtime winner in Wednesday’s 2-1 OT win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Toronto is certainly hoping Nylander’s absence lasts no longer than one game, as they’ve finally just begun to get some of their many injured players back into the lineup. Wednesday’s game against Columbus was captain Auston Matthews’ first game back after missing almost two weeks with a lower-body injury. Wednesday also marked the returns of forwards Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy following three-game absences for each.
Beyond the Nylander news, Berube also shared updates about a couple of other currently injured Maple Leafs. On a positive note, defenseman Brandon Carlo appears to be getting closer to a return. Carlo, who’s been out since Nov. 13 with a lower-body injury, participated in his first full practice since the injury on Thursday, and plans to practice in Florida on Monday ahead of Toronto’s game against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
Craig Berube says the hope is Brandon Carlo (lower body) will take part in Monday’s practice in Florida
“Then we’re getting close”
Yesterday was his first full practice since injury
Last played on Nov. 13 @TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 28, 2025
Less promisingly, goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who’s been out since Nov. 11 with an upper-body injury, has not travelled with the team for their upcoming five-game road trip. Joseph Woll will get his sixth straight start for Toronto on Friday.
Anthony Stolarz (upper body) is not on the road with the team, Craig Berube says @TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 28, 2025
Following Friday’s game in Washington, the Leafs will visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday before making their way down to Florida.
