Status of Maple Leafs' Knies unclear heading into Game 7 on Sunday

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No word on the status of Matthew Knies came from the Maple Leafs on Saturday before the team travelled to Toronto.

The club’s impactful power forward wasn’t himself for the rest of Game 6 on Friday after he hit Panthers defenceman Niko Mikkola late in the first period of the Leafs’ 2-0 victory at Amerant Bank Arena.

“I don’t have an update for you,” Leafs coach Craig Berube told media in Florida. “I will (see him) at some point for sure, how he’s doing and how we have to proceed with the team going forward.”

We should have a clearer idea on Knies on Sunday morning in the hours before Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena.

Knies favoured his right side after the hit and was in pain at the bench. His discomfort was evident during the game, and by the time it ended, Knies played a total of 13 minutes one second. That was his lowest ice time in 12 playoff games this spring and well below his average of 20 minutes 11 seconds in the 2025 playoffs.

After Knies was credited with a hit on Mikkola, he did not have another one in the rest of the game. Knies’ lone shot on goal came before the hit.

We would assume that the majority of players are playing through an ailment of some sort at the this time of year, but a big part of what makes Knies crucial is his physical play on the forecheck. He’s sixth among Leafs in hits.

On the Leafs’ top line with captain Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Knies has become irreplaceable.

Knies’ five goals in the playoffs are one short of the team lead of six by William Nylander, and Knies is fourth on the Leafs in shots on goal with 29.

“He touches every part of the game, that’s for sure, and has scored some big goals for us,” Berube said. “He has been a good player in the playoffs, throughout the season, putting in big goals for us around the net, being that net-front presence, being physical, penalty killing, he is a very important piece.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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