Nylander-Tavares reunion carries Leafs past Islanders

“Willie has been excellent for us and he was excellent tonight in that second period,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “But I thought the second period was the best period John Tavares played all season. After a flat first period — the Leafs had just six shot and trailed 1-0 — Keefe had right wingers Nylander and Mitch Marner flip lines. Back to the grindThe Islanders play a grinding, slow game. And with Keefe putting Nylander back with Tavares, the Leafs clicked into motion to take a 4-2 lead.