Following Sweden’s 5-2 victory over host Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, William Nylander once again sat out practice. The Swedish team practiced on Thursday afternoon, although reports from Adam Johansson of Expressen suggest that Nylander, a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was not participating in that session. Nonetheless, Johansson indicated that Nylander is expected to play in Sweden’s upcoming matchup against Finland on Friday.
This marks Nylander’s first Olympic appearance, and he made a significant impact by scoring the winning goal in Sweden’s win on Wednesday, securing victory with just over 16 minutes remaining in the game. Other Swedish goal scorers included Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche), Gustav Forsling (Florida Panthers), Mika Zibanejad (New York Islanders), and Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning). Meanwhile, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who was the seventh defenseman for Sweden in their game against Italy, did not see any ice time during the match.
Post-game, Nylander told TSN’s Mark Masters that playing against Italy was a special and enjoyable experience. Although his game status was uncertain after missing the last practice for recovery reasons, he eventually skated on Wednesday morning and was cleared to play. Nylander explained that his focus was on maintaining his health to remain in top form throughout the season.
Before the Olympics, Nylander played just three games for the Maple Leafs, during which he experienced a recurrence of a groin injury he initially suffered in mid-January against the Vegas Golden Knights. This injury caused him to miss six games earlier this winter, and he had only recently returned to the lineup. When asked if he was dealing with the groin issue on the first day of the Olympics, Nylander smiled and said he was not.
Despite ongoing concerns about his health, Nylander remains a key contributor for both his country and his NHL team. Prior to departing for Italy, he registered a goal and four points in his last two NHL games, leading the Maple Leafs with 18 goals and 52 points in 40 matches this season. During Wednesday’s game in Italy, he recorded five shots on goal, second only to Joel Eriksson Ek’s nine shots.
Nylander reflected on the experience, sharing that playing in Italy and winning the World Championship was particularly meaningful. Sweden’s next game is scheduled against Finland on Friday morning at 6:10 a.m. ET.
Fan Take: Nylander’s health and participation carry significant weight for both Team Sweden and the Maple Leafs, as his performance can influence their success in the tournament and his club’s season. For hockey fans, his story underscores how top talent must balance national pride, personal health, and professional commitments—adding extra layers of drama and anticipation to the sport’s international stage.
