NHL: Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn — Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner comments on Alex and William Nylander playing together. (Source: Imagn)

"Kind of get lost sometimes thinking who's who": Mitch Marner cracks up about brothers Alex and William Nylander's similarities

Modified Nov 25, 2024 06:10 GMT

Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner joked about the similarities between Alex and William Nylander.

He said that it's easy to get mixed up due to their resemblance and similarities in actions.

"I think you see it from how they dress on the ice. You kind of get lost sometimes, thinking, who's who? Both (of them have) got a lot of swagger and then a lot of confidence. That's what you love to see out of those two. And they play with it as well," Marner explained.

Alex Nylander played his first game with the Toronto Maple Leafs against Utah Hockey Club. On his debut, he recorded two shots on goal in 10:37 minutes of ice time. Nylander has played 121 NHL games, scoring 25 goals and 24 assists, with a total of 49 points.

"It's special moment, the two of them playing in the NHL together, couple line, couple shifts together as well. So something definitely very cool and something I'm sure they'll remember for a long time." Marner said.

Nylander earned a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Leafs after his strong showing in the AHL. He had eight goals and four assists in 14 minor-league games.

Nylander, 26, was drafted by Buffalo in 2016 but has struggled to secure a long-term spot in the NHL. He has played for Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Columbus during his time in the League.

The Leafs also placed Matthew Knies on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury, creating space for Nylander on the roster.

Mitch Marner scored two goals in Leafs' 3-2 win

Mitch Marner scored twice to help the Toronto Maple Leafs win 3-2 against the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday. The Leafs extended their winning streak to four games.

“I just thought we played a lot better (in the second period), straightforward, north, so as soon as we started doing that we won a little bit more of the battles and made quick plays off it and got rewarded for it,” Mitch Marner said per NHL.com.

Utah took a 1-0 lead at 17:48 of the first period. Logan Cooley scored on the power play after a shot deflected off him.

Mitch Marner tied the game at 1-1 at 5:15 of the second period, scoring on a breakaway after a pass from John Tavares. Marner then gave the Leafs a 2-1 lead at 9:34 with a power-play goal.

Nylander made it 3-1 at 10:50 with a breakaway goal before Jack McBain scored for Utah early in the third period to make it 3-2, but the Leafs hung on for the win.