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Nylander couldn't hold composure during unique anthem at Leafs game

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
|
Jan 4 2024, 3:50 pm
Nylander couldn't hold composure during unique anthem at Leafs game

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander might be one of the most talented hockey players in the world, but he’s never quite mastered the skill of hiding a smile.

Nylander had plenty to smile about on Wednesday night, with the Leafs pulling through with a 2-1 overtime victory on the road against the Anaheim Ducks, for the team’s second win in as many nights in Southern California.

But while Nylander had quite the game — one assist to go along with eight shots on net — his reaction to the pregame rendition of the American national anthem earned the most buzz online.

While most teams traditionally trot out a singer for their pregame anthems, the Ducks used guitarist Dave Hill before Wednesday’s game.

Hill added a bit of spice to each anthem, adding a few extra notes and some flair to both “O Canada” and “The Star Spangled Banner” via his electric guitar.

The reaction from fans was, well, mixed, to say the least:

Hill, a comedian and radio host when he’s not performing the anthems, didn’t seem to mind the players having a little bit of fun with it all, replying “love it!” to a comment on the video of Nylander cracking up.

The Leafs conclude their three-game California trip on Saturday night, visiting the San Jose Sharks for a 7 pm ET puck drop. In an unusual schedule quirk, they’ll face San Jose again in Toronto three nights later, hosting the Sharks next Tuesday, January 9.

No word yet on whether Hill will be tuning in for those contests, although he seems to be performing in a rock opera and a one-man show in Los Angeles on those dates, so perhaps it’ll be a while — if ever — before he performs a Leafs game again.

Adam LaskarisAdam Laskaris
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