With his recent comments, followed up by his performance in the Leafs' OT win Thursday, Nylander has proved he's the coolest cucumber in hockey, says Ken Campbell.

TORONTO — William Nylander scored his second goal of the game 1:10 into overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied to defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday.

Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on Dec. 10. On Thursday, Sheldon Keefe will coach in Toronto for the first time since joining the New Jersey Devils. NEWARK, N.J. — The slogan that lines the dressing room wall of Sheldon Keefe’s New Jersey Devils team reads: Compete. Commit. Connect.

Keefe was coaching an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since being fired by the Maple Leafs on May 9. Having been hired by the Devils 14 days later, he’d faced his former team twice this season, both at Prudential Center.

For the first time this season, William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs have suffered three straight losses in regulation. Despite this, they hold onto first place in the Atlantic Division, which should help ease some of the criticism.