Matthew Knies is set to play in Game 7 despite an apparent injury suffered two days earlier.
"He's good to go go," Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed on Sunday.
Knies appeared to suffer an injury when he received a backcheck from Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola. He stayed in the game, but his minutes were limited, as the forward was in obvious pain throughout, at times moving down to the bottom-six forward group and taken off the team's power play.
Berube says he intends to use Knies as in his regular role on the first line. Of course, with the playoffs there could always be a change on what the Leafs head coach says rather than what he does as not to show his hand if Knies is still at 100 percent health.
"This time of year, everybody's banged up, right? And, you know, you play through a lot of – you're not injured because you're playing," Berube said. "You're banged up, you're hurt. And there's a lot of that with a lot of teams and a lot of players for sure. but this time of year you play through it, right? It's too important not to."
‘He’s A Very Important Piece': Maple Leafs Still Awaiting An Update On Matthew Knies After Apparent Injury In Game 6
The Toronto Maple Leafs could be without one of their top forwards when they face the Florida Panthers in Sunday’s winner-take-all Game 7.
The 22-year-old Knies has five goals and two assists in 12 games during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's been an effective force at the net for Toronto, leading the NHL in high-danger shots on goal (21) through the first two rounds of the postseason. Being able to play is a good sign for the Maple Leafs, but the question is how effective can he be in a must-win game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
‘Stuck With Our Guns’: Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs' Buy-In Leads Unified Effort In Season-Saving Game 6 Against Panthers
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, Game 6 was a clear example of what full buy-in to head coach Craig Berube’s system can look like when executed in a must-win Game 6. Backed by a composed, patient, and disciplined performance on the road, the Leafs weathered the storm and blanked the Florida Panthers 2-0 on Friday night to force a Game 7.
"He's made some key plays and had some big moments for us already," Maple Leafs forward John Tavares said of Knies. "It's good to see him out there and ready to go."
Knies was not made available to speak, despite being requested following the club's full morning skate.
Knies achieved a career-high 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games during the 2024-25 regular season. He also registered 182 hits, showcasing his physical style of play that has carried into the postseason.
"He's been a machine out there every night, winning battles, making nice plays, putting his body on the line," Maple Leafs forward William Nylander said of Knies. "He's done an incredible job battling for us all year and keeping and doing so during the playoffs."
The Maple Leafs defeated the Panthers 2-0 in Game 6 to force a deciding Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday. If the Leafs go on to win the series, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes would take place on Tuesday.
'We're Going To War': Maple Leafs' Max Pacioretty Ready For Game 7 In Toronto Against Panthers After Another Game 6 Goal
A new nickname is being dubbed for Toronto Maple Leafs forward <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDo_b3w04_M&pp=ygUOTWF4IFBhY2lvcmV0dHk%3D">Max Pacioretty</a>: Mr. Game 6.
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