The Toronto Maple Leafs are riding high after a gritty Game 6 win against the Florida Panthers on Friday night, forcing a do-or-die Game 7 on Sunday. But the victory came with a catch: the status of star left winger Matthew Knies is up in the air, casting a shadow over the team’s preparations. Losing Knies, even for one game, could be a tough blow for a squad already battered by injuries this season.

Matthew Knies, who’s been Toronto’s standout left winger this year, didn’t look like himself in Game 6. After taking a hit late in the first period, he was clearly laboring, logging just 13:01 of ice time—well below his playoff average of 20:11. He never left the bench during play, but his limited minutes raised red flags. Post-game, head coach Craig Berube didn’t sugarcoat the uncertainty.

NHL insider Chris Johnson echoed this on X, tweeting, “Craig Berube says he isn’t sure if Matthew Knies will be healthy enough to play Game 7. No specifics provided on his injury.” Knies’ physical presence, which has ramped up lately, and his 5 goals and 7 points in 12 playoff games this post-season make him a critical piece of Toronto’s puzzle. “He’s dealing with something here that happened, and we’ve got to look at him and see how he’s feeling tomorrow,” Maple leafs head coach Craig Berube said, adding that he “wouldn’t know” if Knies will be ready for Game 7.

The 22-year-old’s potential absence would stretch Toronto’s wing depth thin. The good news? The injury doesn’t seem like a long-term concern. Knies’ issue appears to be a minor bump, and Leafs fans can breathe a little easier knowing he’s likely to return soon. Still, with Game 7 looming, Toronto’s forward group is walking a tightrope. The Leafs have battled injury woes all season—Auston Matthews has been banged up twice—but they’ve shown resilience. Sunday’s clash will test that grit again, and all eyes will be on Knies’ status as the team fights to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Maple Leafs coach happy about Matthew Knies’ impressive run in playoffs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are buzzing, and it’s not just because of the electric playoff atmosphere. Matthew Knies, their 22-year-old forward, is stealing the spotlight with a postseason performance that’s got his teammates and coach talking. Through the first three games of the 2025 playoff series, Knies has racked up four points, including a standout two-point night in Game 3. He wasted no time making his mark, scoring just 23 seconds into that game and later setting up Morgan Rielly’s clutch tying goal that pushed things to overtime.

Head coach Craig Berube, speaking to reporters on an off day Saturday, couldn’t hide his admiration for Knies’ consistency and growth. “He’s playing his game, same as all season,” Berube said. “He’s using his speed, getting physical, and hanging around the net, where he scored again. But yeah, the playoffs demand more, and he’s stepped up big time.” That’s high praise for a guy who’s only in his third playoff run, showing he’s not just along for the ride but driving the bus.

Knies’ numbers speak for themselves. He’s tied with John Tavares for second on the team in playoff goals, trailing only William Nylander, and sits in a four-way tie for fourth in overall scoring. For a restricted free agent heading into a contract year, this is the kind of performance that turns heads, not just from fans but from the front office, too. His teammates are noticing the way he’s elevating with each game, bringing a mix of grit and skill that’s hard to ignore.

As the series rolls on, Knies’ ability to stay true to his game while rising to the playoff intensity has his teammates buzzing with excitement. If he keeps this up, the Leafs might just ride his momentum deeper into the postseason—and Knies might find himself with a shiny new contract to match.