As the NHL playoffs heat up, the Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for a deep run. And while the superstar trio of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares will lead the charge, one player hoping to make a big impact is Matthew Knies. The 18-year-old forward was recently signed to the Leafs on an entry-level contract and Auston Matthews, who spent his offseason training alongside Knies, is excited to see what the young talent can bring to the team. In this article, we’ll explore how this addition could impact Toronto’s run for the cup and what fans can expect from Knies in his first stint in the NHL.
The Toronto Maple Leafs held practice at the Ford Performance Centre on Sunday, following their win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. William Nylander was a standout player in the game, scoring a goal and firing a career-high 10 shots on net. Despite this strong performance, Nylander acknowledges that it’s still early to say he’s “back on track,” but he sees it as a step in the right direction. Coach Sheldon Keefe was impressed with Nylander’s game and hopes this will make him hungrier for more goals. To help the second line, Keefe paired Ryan O’Reilly with John Tavares and Nylander, creating more space for Nylander to make plays. Keefe also bumped Nylander to the second power-play unit, looking for him to take charge and shoot the puck. With three games left, Nylander has his sights set on reaching 40 goals this season. Against the Florida Panthers on Monday, Nylander will remain with O’Reilly and the second power-play unit.
In other news, the Leafs signed left winger Matthew Knies to a three-year entry-level deal. Knies played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, scoring 21 goals in 40 games. Although it’s unfair to expect Knies to be a difference-maker in the playoffs, Auston Matthews and Nylander are both eager to see what he can bring to the team. Meanwhile, Mitch Marner is nearing the 100-point milestone, with 98 points in the season so far. He scored two goals and added an assist against the Canadiens, with the potential for another assist that wasn’t officially recorded. The Leafs are pushing to make a strong playoff run, with individual player milestones as added motivation.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for their playoff run, Auston Matthews couldn’t be more excited about the addition of Matthew Knies to the team. With his impressive skills on the ice and his drive to win, Knies is sure to be a valuable asset to the Leafs as they chase the Stanley Cup. And with the guidance of veteran players like Mark Masters, the team is primed for success. As the playoffs heat up, it will be exciting to watch this talented group of athletes bring their best game and work together as a team. Go Leafs Go!
