Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies to play Game 7 against Panthers

Joshua Clipperton · The Canadian Press

· Posted: May 18, 2025 1:09 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Matthew Knies is bully to spell for Game 7.

Maple Leafs caput manager Craig Berube confirmed pursuing Sunday's greeting skate the large winger volition suit up successful his accustomed spot connected Toronto's apical enactment successful the winner-take-all finale against Florida.

Knies took a reverse deed from Panthers defenceman Niko Mikkola in the archetypal play of Game 6 connected Friday.

The 22-year-old was successful disposable discomfort connected the seat and constricted the remainder of the night, but was deployed successful circumstantial situations successful a roadworthy contention the Leafs won 2-0 to widen their season.

"This clip of year, everybody's banged up," Berube said astatine Scotiabank Arena. "You're not injured, due to the fact that you're playing. You're banged up, you're hurt. There's a batch of that with a batch of teams and a batch of players.

"This clip of year, you play done it, right? It's excessively important not to."

Panthers winger Evan Rodrigues appears acceptable to instrumentality pursuing a two-game wounded lack for the defending Stanley Cup champions, but caput manager Paul Maurice wouldn't corroborate immoderate changes to his lineup.

The Toronto autochthonal started the bid connected Florida's No. 1 enactment with Selke Trophy nominees Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. Jesper Boqvist subbed successful the past 2 contests and scored successful the Panthers' 6-1 triumph successful Game 5 that pushed the Leafs to the brink.

'Premier powerfulness forward'

Knies, who plays alongside prima forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner astatine adjacent strength, and occupies the net-front relation connected the apical power-play unit, has 5 goals and 2 assists successful 12 post-season contests this spring.

The Phoenix merchandise registered 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points crossed 78 games successful 2024-25 — his 2nd NHL run aft debuting with Toronto successful the 2023 playoffs.

"Grown into a heck of a player," Leafs centre John Tavares said. "A premier powerfulness guardant and plays successful each situations ... has made immoderate cardinal plays, had immoderate large moments for america already.

"Good to spot him retired determination and getting acceptable to go."

Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly said it took a small portion for the six-foot-three, 227-pound Knies to fig retired wherever helium acceptable successful the NHL.

"Worked hard to uncover his role," said the seasoned blue-liner. "Once helium recovered it, helium conscionable ran with it. He's been outstanding, works highly hard. He's a large portion of his line, and he's a large portion of what we're doing connected peculiar teams.

"He's been great."