What a turnaround! The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped three straight games to the Florida Panthers, but now they have finally clawed their way back into the series with a massive 2-0 win in Game 6. And after many criticisms circulating around the NHL community regarding his lack of goals, Auston Matthews proved his prowess yet again by scoring that game-winning goal that extended the Maple Leafs’ season for one more game. “It felt great. I’ve had some good opportunities all series,” Matthews said after hitting the net at 6.20 of the third period, thereby tying the playoff series at 3-3 and forcing an all-deciding Game 7.

However, uncertainty looms over one of their key young forwards: Matthew Knies, who received a hard reverse hit from Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola late in the first period. “I can’t even move it,” he was heard saying later later on the bench, increasing the worries about his injury. Although he returned to the ice for the second period, Knies didn’t look 100%. Now that the Leafs are preparing for their most important game of the season, concerns regarding the young forward are rising about whether he will be healthy enough to return when it matters most, and his captain has weighed in too.

In the postgame interview, Matthews was asked about his availability. He wasn’t entirely sure but believed that Knies gave everything he had and praised the young forward’s grit: “Yeah I mean, he’s a competitor,” he said. “I thought he fought hard, he played hard. I don’t know what the extent is as far as what he’s going through but,, you know, when he, when he got out there,, you know, he was still hard on puck strong.”

And as far as his presence on ice for the next game is concerned, the head coach, Craig Berube, stated that the decision is still pending. “We don’t know right now. I wouldn’t know the answer to that question right now,” Berube said. But Matthews is on the other side. Though hopeful, the captain expressed his faith, saying, “Hopefully he’ll be good to go on Sunday.” Well, a sentiment that mirrors the quiet uncertainty hanging over the Leafs’ locker room now as the team moves ahead of their biggest game yet. But what if he doesn’t return?

Despite Auston Matthews remaining hopeful, will the Leafs be able to make it without their key player?

While Game 6 extended the Maple Leafs’ playoff life, the uncertain status of Matthew Knies perhaps looms large over their Game 7 showdown with the Florida Panthers now. Why? Because Knies has quietly become a cornerstone of the Leafs’ top line alongside star players like Mitch Marner and Matthews himself. And now leaving fans and analysts concerned after logging limited minutes, the question is—with 5 goals and 7 points in just 12 playoff games, will he be able to fill the spot again?

After all, he’s been the driving offensive pressure who delivered in key moments and now losing him on the eve of the biggest game would be a noticeable void in Toronto’s top-six firepower, right? Now, amidst the absence of his ability to win puck battles and finish plays, it could be crucial for Toronto to tilt the ice in their favor, especially in tight games. While the team might be forced to juggle line combinations or lean more heavily on a second line, it would be risky especially when it’s a do-or-die situation.

To say that it’s slightly a kind of disruption right before Game 7. And when it’s against the Panthers, well known for capitalizing on the smallest cracks, it’s going to be tough for the Maple Leafs to test their depth and prove their prowess when a key player is out due to injury. But hey, hope isn’t lost at all. Just like Auston Matthews kept it optimistic when he said, “I’m going to keep shooting and keep believing that the next one’s going in,” things might turn again despite Knies’ absence. Well, what do you think? Especially when it’s been a season of grit, comebacks, and chaos, would Game 7 be any different?