‘Hopefully, He’ll Be In Tomorrow. We’ll See, But Signs All Point In That Direction’: Maple Leafs Forward Matthew Knies Trending Toward Return Against Lightning

Knies returned to full practice after missing two games with an upper-body injury.

As anticipated, the Toronto Maple Leafs might get a boost to their lineup on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as forward Matthew Knies could potentially return to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury.

Knies participated fully in practice Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, skating alongside Auston Matthews on Toronto’s top line and reclaiming his spot on the power play. Head coach Craig Berube sounded optimistic about Knies’ availability.

“Good, really good. Positive,” Berube said when asked about Knies’ status. “Hopefully, he’ll be in tomorrow. We’ll see, but signs all point in that direction. He looked really good.”

Friday’s practice marked Knies’ first in a regular-contact capacity since shedding his red no-contact jersey earlier this week, repping a blue top-six sweater on Friday. The injury occurred in Toronto’s 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on November 20, when Knies absorbed a heavy hit from defenseman Zach Whitecloud.

Following practice, Knies expressed mixed feelings about the play but emphasized his focus on moving forward and returning to game action.

“It was a tough situation that I kind of put myself in. It was a tough scenario, just trying to get the puck in and you got to keep your head up,” Knies explained. “I was kind of upset that it led me to get hurt and I missed a few games but, it happens in hockey and I’m just happy I’m healthy now and that I can play and come back.”

He added that Whitecloud apologized to him after the game, mentioning it was not of any ill intent to hurt the 22-year-old. Admitting to watching the play back a handful of times, Knies said he has to “trust the league in the sense that they got the play right.”

Knies declined to reveal specifics about the injury, saying, “I don’t really want to get into what it was. I think I’ll kind of keep that to myself.”

Regardless, it’s safe to say that he is confident he hasn’t lost any momentum after opening the season with 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 20 games. Knies highlighted his excitement to rejoin Matthews, who has impressed in practice sessions as he works his way back from an upper-body injury.

“I don’t think I lost any momentum,” said Knies. “I’m with the guys, I’m on the trip here, so I’m around them all. I’m good to play with Auston so, no lack of momentum there.”

“He looks incredible,” Knies said of Matthews. “He looks like he’s ready for a game. We’re excited to have him.”

As the team shifts focus to the Lightning on Saturday, the overall sentiment is that help is on the way to the injury-riddled Maple Leafs. For Knies, he’s continued to trend in the right direction throughout his recovery and on-ice workouts in the last week.

The two-day window between games has allowed for even more recuperation, with growing optimism that Knies and Matthews are available for another Atlantic Division matchup.

Needing all hands on deck, the offense will only continue to come as the team gets healthier.

“We’re adding some key pieces here back in the next few weeks as well it’s going to turn upwards for our offense,” Knies said. “I think we’re going to find the back of the net a lot more.”