Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Third goal in five games
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Knies scored a goal Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh.
Knies drove the net and punched in a rebound in the first period that put the Leafs up 2-1. It was his third goal in five games and sixth in 19 this season. Knies is seeing time alongside first-line studs Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, and he doesn't look out of place. The 21-year-old Knies is on the rise.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Records three points Monday
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Knies collected a goal and two assists in a 6-5 overtime win over Tampa Bay on Monday.
Knies has three goals and seven points in 12 contests this year. That's not a bad start for the 21-year-old forward, but his offense is almost entirely due to two three-point games -- weirdly enough both against Tampa Bay. His other came Oct. 21 in Toronto's 4-3 overtime victory over the Lightning. That level of inconsistency is bound to frustrate fantasy managers, but Knies does have a lot of potential and has gotten looks in a top-six capacity.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Posts power-play helper
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Knies recorded a power-play assist and three hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Stars.
Knies dropped down to the third line for this game. He helped out on Tyler Bertuzzi's third-period marker as the Maple Leafs' second power-play unit made some noise. Knies saw 52 seconds of power-play time Thursday after drawing just 10 seconds with the man advantage over the first six games. He has four points, nine shots on net, eight hits, six PIM and a plus-1 rating through seven outings while mainly working in a middle-six role.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Short circuits Bolts to force OT
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Knies scored twice in the third period and added an assist Saturday in a 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning.
Knies' goals tied the game and forced overtime. They were his first regular-season NHL goals. He scored in the postseason last year, and interestingly enough, seven of Knies' eight NHL points have come against the Bolts when you add in those playoff games.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Practicing Friday
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Knies (concussion) is partaking in an optional practice Friday, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic reports.
This is the first time that Knies has returned to the ice since suffering the injury in Game 2 versus Florida on May 4. Knies has played quite well for the Maple Leafs since signing his entry-level contract April 9. He has a goal and four points in seven postseason games. Knies should be considered doubtful for Game 5 on Friday, but could return Sunday, if there is a Game 6.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Unlikely to return Friday
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Knies (concussion) isn't expected to return for Game 5 against Florida on Friday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Knies sustained the injury May 4 and has missed the Maple Leafs' last two contests. The 20-year-old was doing well in the playoffs prior to the injury, scoring a goal and four points in seven appearances. Knies hasn't resumed skating, so he might not be close to playing.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Out with concussion
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Knies (concussion) will miss Games 3 and 4 in Florida and is unlikely to return for the remainder of the series, Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com reports.
The rookie struggled to the bench in the first period and did not return. Knies has been a force in the playoffs, scoring once and adding three assists in seven games. Look for Zach Aston-Reese or Wayne Simmonds to enter the lineup in place of Knies.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Won't finish Game 2
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Knies (undisclosed) won't finish Thursday's Game 2 versus the Panthers.
Knies struggled to the bench after a shift in the first period, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the game at the start of the second. He logged one hit in 5:33 of ice time Thursday. An update on his status should be available before Sunday's Game 3.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Scores first NHL goal
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Knies scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Florida.
Knies' first NHL goal was an impressive one, grabbing a feed in the slot before spinning around Sergei Bobrovsky and burying a backhander to get the Leafs on the board in the second period. Knies, a second-round pick in 2021, signed with the Leafs late in the regular season following his NCAA career with the University of Minnesota. He was immediately put in a top-line role alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander. The move appears to be paying dividends thus far -- Knies has a goal and three assists through six postseason contests.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Instrumental on series winner
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Knies picked up an assist on the game-winning goal Saturday in a 2-1 overtime victory over Tampa Bay in Game 6.
Once again, Knies acquitted himself like a veteran in the game and was instrumental in setting up the series-clinching goal. He controlled the puck behind the net and maintained possession before getting it to John Tavares, who circled the net. Knies once again got the puck and popped it back to the captain, who skated out, wheeled around and fired a shot that ricocheted off a Bolts player's skate and in. Knies is big, strong and fast, and that's a great combination in Toronto's top six.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Best Leaf on ice in OT win?
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Knies picked up an assist in 19:15 of ice time in a 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning in Game 3.
The kid hasn't been overwhelmed in making the jump from the NCAA to the NHL playoffs. In fact, Knies may have been the best Leaf on the ice Saturday. His speed and strength were on display on every shift, and he spent most of the game on the top lines. Remember Knies' name next draft -- he could vie for the Calder trophy next season, especially if he gets a permanent gig in the top six. And that's even with Connor Bedard headed to the NHL. Look at what a top-six role did for Michael Bunting as a rookie.
