William Nylander continued to put his strong playmaking skills on display Thursday night, earning two primary assists as the Toronto Maple Leafs won 2-1 over the New York Rangers.

After a few messy outings, it was a strong all-around effort from the team at home. Speaking after the game, Nylander shared what went well for Toronto in the overtime victory.

“I think we just grinded through the game,” Nylander said. “We got that power-play goal which was nice. Sometimes they were pressuring us and we were able to play good defence, and obviously Stolarz stood on his head.”

Nylander made a patient move during a long shift and fed Auston Matthews for the overtime winner.

Earning his third multi-point game of the season on the play, Nylander shared that in moments like that, it’s all instinct rather than a conscious choice.

“It just happens,” he said. “I don’t really think I’m thinking too much when I’m down there.”

Another winger who impressed on Thursday was Matthew Knies. Not only did he open the scoring for the Leafs on the power play, but Knies played a strong defensive game to help keep the Rangers’ offence at bay. Having played together for years now, Nylander said it’s just what they’ve come to expect from the 23-year-old forward.

“[Knies] has been that kind of player since he got here,” Nylander said. “I mean, the way he is in front of their net, he’s (like that) in front of ours. He’s a big boy, hard to move, strong, can move guys out of the way, and get in front of pucks too.”

Meanwhile, Scotiabank Arena was buzzing extra loud on Thursday night, as fans kept an eye on Game 4 of the Toronto Blue Jays’ ALCS battle against the Seattle Mariners. As the Blue Jays put together a multi-run lead in Seattle, the cheers were heard all the way in Toronto. In his post-game presser, Toronto’s media made sure to let Nylander know the Jays had taken the lead after he said he had last heard they were down.

“Huge, it’s unreal,” he said, upon hearing they were up 3-1 in the game.

After the Blue Jays put together a dream season and are hungry to fight their way to the Finals, the Maple Leafs will look to take some inspiration and do the same this year. If they can keep playing how they did Thursday night, they’re headed in the right direction.