Matthew Knies Playing Through Pain as Leafs Lean on Depth Ahead of Olympic Break
The Maple Leafs are walking a tightrope right now. On one side, there's the urgency to stay competitive in a jam-packed Eastern Conference.
On the other, there's the very real risk of pushing key players through injuries that could have longer-term consequences. That balancing act was on full display Monday night, as forward Matthew Knies suited up against Minnesota despite dealing with a lingering lower-body injury that’s been nagging him for weeks.
Head coach Craig Berube didn’t sugarcoat the situation ahead of the game, telling reporters, “It’s been bothering him a lot for quite some time, and it hasn’t really gotten much better. It is an ongoing issue.”
Still, Knies hit the ice and managed to register an assist in a 6-3 loss to the Wild. And despite the clear discomfort, the Leafs aren’t making any lineup changes heading into tonight’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils.
Knies is expected to go again.
It’s a tough spot for the 23-year-old winger. He first suffered the injury back in mid-November, missing three games at the time.
Since then, it’s been a constant battle to manage the pain and stay in the lineup. Both Knies and Berube have acknowledged it’s the kind of injury that only rest can truly fix - something that’s hard to come by in a January schedule that has Toronto playing nearly every other night.
“The Christmas break helped a lot,” Knies said after Monday’s game. “But it’s not going to really get better.
It’s one of those [injuries] that the more you play, the more wear and tear on it. I just really haven’t felt 100% for quite a while now.”
That’s not exactly the kind of quote that puts fans at ease, especially when the team is counting on Knies to help carry the offensive load in the absence of William Nylander. The winger has been sidelined with a groin injury after an awkward solo collision with the boards, and Berube confirmed there’s still no clear timeline for his return.
In the meantime, Knies continues to be a critical piece for Toronto. Through 46 games, he’s tallied 41 points - 12 goals and 29 assists - while bringing a physical edge that’s tough to replicate.
At 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, Knies is a rare blend of size and speed. He’s not shy about throwing his weight around, and he’s shown he can win footraces against just about anyone, creating turnovers and generating breakaways in the process.
He’s the kind of player who can change the tone of a game - and the Leafs know it. That’s likely why Berube is opting to keep him in the lineup through the next eight games leading up to the Olympic break, hoping to squeeze what they can out of him before a much-needed rest period.
Goaltender Joseph Woll will get the start tonight against the Devils, as Berube confirmed he’s sticking with the young netminder. With the team in the middle of a five-game homestand, every point matters - but so does player health. Toronto is walking a fine line, and how they manage Knies’ minutes over the next two weeks could have a big impact on their second-half push.
The Leafs drop the puck tonight at home against New Jersey, looking to bounce back and keep pace in a tight playoff race. All eyes will be on Knies - not just for what he brings on the ice, but how long he can keep pushing through the pain.