Alex Nylander, 21, and William Nylander, 23, grew up competing not simply in hockey, but in addition in golf, tennis, ping pong and extra.
Being two years older, William at all times had the higher hand strength-wise, Alex admitted Sunday. But now that they’re each full grown and within the NHL, the desk has evened and the sibling rivalry has entered the nationwide highlight.
“It’s crazy how we’re both at this level now,” Alex stated earlier than Sunday’s recreation. “Our goal was to make it to the NHL. It’s just going to be really fun tonight.”
“Sometimes we’re friends, sometimes we come out of it not friends, but at the end of the day, we’re brothers,” he added, grinning.
As kids, each briefly performed for the Chicago Mission youth hockey program, so Alex has the home-ice benefit in a number of methods Sunday. Both of their earlier NHL conferences got here when Alex performed for Buffalo, and regardless of scoring of their contest final spring, Alex’s Sabres misplaced 4-2 to William’s Maple Leafs each instances.
The two brothers weren’t in a position to meet for lunch Sunday, with each groups touring in from video games Saturday night time, however they anticipated to have loads of their prolonged household watching on tv.
Alex stated their sibling competitors has usually spilled over to evaluating level totals all through their hockey careers, and that’s definitely no totally different within the NHL. This is the primary season Alex has an actual shot of maintaining, though William nonetheless entered Sunday with a 13-7 lead.
“We obviously want to help each other get better, individually, as hockey players,” Alex stated. “Just a real easy brother to have. It’s been great growing up with him.”
Kubalik responds completely to wholesome scratch
Even in a recreation with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews on each side, there was hardly no surer wager to attain in Saturday’s Blackhawks-Penguins matchup than Dominik Kubalik.
That’s as a result of the Hawks’ wholesome scratches this season have constantly responded to their demotions with enormous objectives upon their return to the lineup.
First it was Alex Nylander, scratched Oct. 12 in opposition to the Jets, scoring on Oct. 14 in opposition to the Oilers. Then it was Drake Caggiula, scratched Oct. 26 in opposition to the Hurricanes, scoring Oct. 27 in opposition to the Kings.
And then Saturday, it was Kubalik — scratched Thursday in opposition to the Canucks, prompting fan outrage — predictably potting the opening purpose of the night time off an attractive feed from Brandon Saad.
“I think that’s probably the best response that I could do,” he stated. “I was trying to make some plays to show up.”
Hawks nonetheless skating in mornings
Some groups across the league are scaling again the frequency of their morning skates. The Penguins are one such group: regardless of not enjoying Friday, they didn’t skate Saturday morning at house.
But the Hawks are nonetheless going robust, skating just about each recreation day besides on the second legs of back-to-backs.
Asked about that Saturday, Colliton stated the sample is extra attributable to gamers’ preferences than his personal.
“I don’t think you need it. It’s unnecessary,” the coach stated. “But some guys it’s they feel they need it to get out there and feel the puck and just get in their routine.”