The game on Thursday was the first of what could be many meetings between William and Alex Nylander, the two brothers who were selected eighth overall in the draft two years apart by Toronto and Buffalo, respectively.
"It was a fun experience," the Sabres' Nylander said. "It was fun seeing him out there playing from the bench and not from the stands for the first time. It was something special."
Alex said prior to the game that he and his brother had a competitive relationship, and you could see it on the ice in the first period. He came out looking more comfortable than he had his preseason debut against the Wild, first forcing a turnover to create a shot attempt from the high slot and then when he used his speed to beat the defense into the offensive zone and rung a shot off the post.
"I thought he played pretty well in the first, I thought he showed speed, made a couple nice plays," Bylsma said. "The second period was largely ruled by the power play and I think it took a little steam out of his sails, took a little confidence from him … That's just a young kid finding his way in the game."
Even still, Alex said himself that he felt more comfortable on Thursday than he had in his debut. Plus he gets bragging rights over his brother until the next time they play, rights he almost lost in the shootout when the two brothers shot back-to-back. Alex missed with the same forehand-backhand that served him so well at development camp in July, setting up William for a chance to give Toronto a lead.
Luckily for him, Nilsson was up to the challenge.
"He maybe should've deked," Alex said. "That's what he usually does."
