The guests started best and took the lead in the first period through a goal by Auston Matthews in numerical superiority with an assist signed Nylander. In the middle act, Toronto could expand when Max Pacioretty managed to disturb the home team in their own zone to such an extent that Nylander could snatch the puck and calmly put it behind a chanceless Linus Ullmark.
In that situation, Ottawa looked like a beaten gang. But after a reduction in the middle of the second, they could then equalize with just over seven minutes left of period three. Then it was the visiting team's turn to pull themselves together. First through a direct hit by Pacioretty and then Nylander, who nailed the final result in an open net with 19 seconds left on the clock.
Tonight's performance means that the Swede now shares fourth place in the points league for the Stanley Cup – just a pin behind Los Angeles' Adrian Kempe, who shares the top spot.
In the quarterfinals, Toronto will face last year's winners Florida.
