The Maple Leafs are facing an 0-2 deficit to the Panthers and now are without their star rookie as the series shifts to Florida.
Toronto forward Matthew Knies was injured in the first period of Game 2 as a result of a collision with Panthers forward Sam Bennett. He did not return to the game.
Knies has been stellar for the Leafs in his first NHL postseason. After joining the club late in the year after his season at Minnesota concluded, the 20-year-old has made an immediate impact with Toronto. He scored his first career NHL goal in Game 1 against Florida and had three assists in the series against Tampa Bay.
With Knies is out for an extended period of time,it’s a blow to a Leafs team already behind the eight-ball in the second round.
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The Sporting News has the latest news and updates on Knies’ injury status.
How long is Matthew Knies out for?
Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said on Friday that Knies is “definitely” out for Games 3 and 4. He also added that it is “unlikely” that Knies returns for the second-round series against Florida.
With Knies out, it’s likely that either Michael Bunting or Calle Jarnkrok sees increased ice time in the top-six forward group.
Zach Aston-Reese, who did not play in Game 2, likely will draw back, or Keefe may go back to his lineup of 11 forwards and seven defensemen, which he has used frequently throughout the year.
Matthew Knies injury update
Knies was injured during the first period of the Leafs’ 3-2 loss on Thursday night.
He got tangled up behind the Panthers’ net with Bennett. Knies was forechecking the center when Bennett wrapped up Knies and threw him to the ground.
Bennett did not receive a penalty on the play. The Leafs announced before the second period that Knies would not return to the game.
“He didn’t complete the game, so that is not positive,” Keefe said on Knies after Game 2.
There was some speculation after the game that Bennett could face discipline from the NHL Department of Player Safety, however, TSN’s Chris Johnston said after the game that it “seems unlikely” that Bennett would be suspended.
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“I think he tried to hit me and jumped out of the way,” Bennett said of the play with Knies. “He got tied up in my arm there. That was pretty much it on that one.”
