Regionalism and nationalism are natural elements of any international competition and the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t exempt from it. Auston Matthews and William Nylander were both booed ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off opener between Team Canada and Team Sweden on Wednesday evening at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Nylander is the only Maple Leafs forward on team Sweden, joining teammates Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Nylander's teammates weren't very surprised about what it was like to skate with the Leafs star.

That foursome includes team captain Auston Matthews, former captain John Tavares, winger Mitch Marner and center William Nylander. The latter, however, was close to getting moved by Toronto a few years ago.

Mika Zibanejad is expected to play on the first line for Team Sweden at the 4-Nations Face-Off with William Nylander and Rickard Rakell. At Sweden’s first practice, Zibanejad’s first-line role was made crystal clear. Zibanejad now teams up with Nylander, who is arguably the best Swedish forward in the world as he had high praise for him.