The Toronto Maple Leafs are up 3-0 in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators. And, while they haven’t won every battle (their five-on-five play could improve), the Maple Leafs have looked confident, structured, and dangerous. What makes this even more impressive is that they’ve done it without William Nylander playing anywhere near his best.

Nylander has been an electric player all season long. He set career highs, dominated shifts, and often was the spark plug for Toronto’s offense. What’s the deal with his becoming strangely quiet? His absence from the scoresheet is noticeable, but also raises an exciting hypothetical question. If the Maple Leafs can take complete control of a playoff series without Nylander’s contributions, what happens when he does get going?

Nylander Has Yet to Unlock His Higher Ceiling

Make no mistake — Nylander has the kind of game-breaking talent that can shift a series. His speed through the neutral zone, ability to create space, and knack for scoring in bunches makes him one of the most dangerous weapons on the roster. When he’s engaged and assertive, Nylander draws defenders, opens lanes, and makes the Maple Leafs’ top six nearly impossible to match up against. That version of Nylander hasn’t shown up yet in this series, but if and when it does, Toronto’s ceiling goes from “strong contender” to something far scarier. He’s not just a nice-to-have; he’s the kind of player who can change the complexion of a game in one shift.

The Maple Leafs Will Need Him Against Upcoming Opponents

While the Maple Leafs are on the verge of sweeping Ottawa, the deeper you go in the playoffs, the less room there is to hide. Depth scoring, solid goaltending, and defensive structure will always matter — but elite teams need their stars to rise when the pressure ratchets up. Auston Matthews has done that. Mitch Marner and John Tavares have stepped up, too.

Nylander, however, has yet to hit that gear. Whether it’s an injury, a confidence issue (imagine), or something else entirely, it’s clear that Toronto needs him back to form if they finally hope to make a serious push toward the Stanley Cup. Nylander’s offensive touch might be the difference between advancing and falling short in any upcoming series.

Even If the Maple Leafs Can Win Without Nylander Now, They’ll Need Him Later

For now, the Maple Leafs are proving they can win without Nylander, which says a lot about their depth. But if he finds his rhythm? This team could be terrifying.

Related: Simon Benoit’s Surprise Offense Makes Maple Leafs History