UntitlJohn Tavares Returned, and William Nylander Looked

Sometimes a player's most important contribution isn't what shows up on the scoresheet. The Toronto Maple Leafs got a reminder of that when John Tavares returned to the lineup against Montreal on Saturday night. He didn't need to score a goal to make his presence felt. According to head coach Jim Hiller, his return may have helped William Nylander find something missing from his game.

Hiller thought Nylander played his best game in a while. He also didn't think it was a coincidence that Tavares was back alongside him. The coach pointed to their chemistry, particularly Tavares' ability to win puck battles and create opportunities for the players around him. There's something worth considering there.

Nylander Is a Huge Talent, but Tavares Can Bring Out His Best.

Nylander is an enormously talented player, and nobody needs to explain what he can do when he's feeling confident and involved. But hockey isn't played in isolation. Sometimes a player needs a linemate who retrieves a puck, wins a battle along the boards, or gives him that extra second to make a play. That's where Tavares can make a difference.

We tend to evaluate returning players by looking at their own production. Did they score? Did they get an assist? How many shots did they take? Those are reasonable questions, but they don't tell the whole story. A player who makes life easier for his linemates can have an impact that doesn't always show up in the statistics.

Still, Tavares Isn’t Magic. The Team Needs to Play Well.

Saturday offered a little evidence of that. Nylander, Tavares, and Gavin McKenna each recorded four shots on goal. Toronto still lost 4-2, so this wasn't some magical solution to the team's problems. But Hiller's comments suggest the Tavares-Nylander combination deserves attention.

For Maple Leafs fans, that's encouraging. Toronto needs more consistent offence, and getting Nylander going would certainly help. If Tavares can provide the support and puck possession that let Nylander play with more freedom, the benefits could extend beyond one game. Sometimes getting a good player back isn't just about what he brings to the lineup. It's also about what he allows the players around him to bring.

That might be the more interesting part of Tavares' return.