The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading to the Eastern Conference semifinals after taking down the Ottawa Senators in six games on Thursday night. However, the series could’ve gone to seven after William Nylander nearly didn’t play.

OTTAWA — Exactly 29 years before the Toronto Maple Leafs emerged victorious from a taut and tense Battle of Ontario, Michael Nylander was nursing a personal playoff disappointment.

For William Nylander, on his 29th birthday, the drama before Game 6 in Ottawa was almost as compelling as the action on the ice.