'Not friends anymore': Nylander brothers to face off for first time

William and Alexander Nylander will take the ice as opponents for the first time in their lives Thursday night.

The talented brothers are set to meet when William's Toronto Maple Leafs play Alexander's Buffalo Sabres in preseason action in St. Catharines, Ontario.

"I think (my mom) will be wearing a half-Toronto, half-Buffalo jersey," William told the Toronto Star's Kevin McGran. "(Alex has) great vision and he can score goals. Likes to shoot the puck. He's developed in every way possible."

Other than off-ice battles, this is unfamiliar territory.

"It's time to face each other. Not friends anymore," William said.

Both Nylanders were eighth overall picks: William in 2014, and Alexander this past June.

The Leafs prospect centered the top line at the morning skate, and the Sabres draft pick joined Evander Kane and Derek Grant on Buffalo's second line.