Sportsnet [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/26c25630-09d0-4543-bfd0-937ddc7a133d.png] Sportsnet Matthew Knies had a unique way of screening Sergei Bobrovsky during a Toronto Maple Leafs power play early in their 4-3 win in Game 2 over the Florida Panthers. As Bobrovsky tried to scan around Knies' 6-foot-3, 227-pound frame, the Maple Leafs forward moved his arms up and down [https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1920257721053348252] to take away the goaltender's view even more. Toronto didn't score on that specific man advantage, but the screen got plenty of attention on social media. "I just try to use my size and take his eyes as much as possible, get good chances," Knies said Friday morning. "I probably can’t use my hands as much, was told by the refs. I think I just got to position myself pretty good and hopefully I can help the team out there." The forward has been effective, scoring 15 points, including five goals, on the man advantage in the regular season. Toronto's power play ranked sixth in the NHL, with Knies scoring just over nine percent of the goals. Knies has two power play points in the postseason, both of which are goals. The two tallies came around the net [https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1915563121818702218] in Games 1 and 3 against the Ottawa Senators in the first round. Knies’ Game-Winner Gives Maple Leafs 1-0 Series Lead Over Panthers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8f109b3b-f3cf-4141-8274-eac60677496b.jpeg] Knies’ Game-Winner Gives Maple Leafs 1-0 Series Lead Over Panthers With a 5-4 win on Monday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs take a 1-0 series lead over the Florida Panthers. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-vs-panthers-game-1-live-blog] "Just a big, heavy body," Auston Matthews said Friday morning, of what makes Knies so effective around the net. "He moves well. He skates well. He's a hard man to handle, especially down low." Twenty-two of Knies' 29 goals in the regular season came from around the net. He ranked in the 98th percentile in goals from that spot, via NHL Edge [https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/20242025-regular-8482720]. All four of his goals in the playoffs have also come from around the net. The 22-year-old stood tall in front of Bobrovsky on Mitch Marner's game-winner on Wednesday night, putting the Maple Leafs up 2-0 in the series. ‘I’m Trying To Play For Him’: Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner Confirms Letter ‘M’ On Stick As Reference To Newborn Son [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a2c87ed2-4ba8-4a3b-a623-70f4d2e0a4e8.jpeg] ‘I’m Trying To Play For Him’: Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner Confirms Letter ‘M’ On Stick As Reference To Newborn Son In what he described as a “whirlwind,” Mitch Marner turned 28, became a father, and scored the game-winning goal in Game 2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ second-round series against the Florida Panthers in the last four days. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/im-trying-to-play-for-him-maple-leafs-mitch-marner-reveals-letter-m-on-stick-as-reference-to-newborn-son] "It's going off the whole year with him, right? He made his living there this year, and he's doing a great job of it still," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Friday morning. "He's right to the net-front right away, taking the eyes away from the goalie, and he's done an excellent job of it. We got to continue to do that with Bob in net, and we got to get to the paint on this guy." Knies, like many of Toronto's players, has excelled in these playoffs. In Game 1, when the Panthers cut the Maple Leafs' lead to one, Knies sprang down the wing [https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919581721189638393] on a breakaway and beat Bobrovsky for the game-winner. 'Guys In This Room Recognize That': How Maple Leafs’ Elite Defense Is Powering Their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Run [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/065011f1-94d2-47cd-aece-705f27d45a2a.jpeg] 'Guys In This Room Recognize That': How Maple Leafs’ Elite Defense Is Powering Their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Run Jake McCabe did everything possible to get the puck away from their net when it rolled into the Toronto Maple Leafs' crease with just over five-and-a-half minutes left in the third period. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/guys-in-this-room-recognize-that-how-maple-leafs-elite-defense-is-powering-their-2025-stanley-cup-playoff-run] In back-to-back games, the young forward has been involved in game-shifting moments. However, this series is only going to get more difficult as it goes on, especially against the defending Stanley Cup champs. Toronto's up two-zip, but let's see how they handle the Panthers in Game 3 on Friday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
