No, the Maple Leafs aren’t out yet. What did they do? They showed character. They went to the Amerant Bank Arena, staring down the barrel at another very probable exit. It was a literal do-or-die in game #6. After what had happened in the previous game, another timid exit had to be on the Leafs fans’ minds. Well, Auston Matthews and Co. said “Not Today”. What a proud performance they gave! ‘Pain doesn’t matter’ was the motto of the day. And there was one Leafs player who literally showed how to walk that path. Yes, it may have come at a price. But for now, alternate captain Mitch Marner is talking about how inspiring even young blood can be.

Game over. Time to rest. Time to reset. The 2-0 win has given them a lifeline. But the reporters did catch up with Marner for a chat about in-form forward Matthew Knies. “We saw Matthew fighting through something there…,” went one reporter as they asked the Leafs forward for his opinion on what he saw. The 28-year-old forward replied, “That’s what we love to see … a lot of people are battling through at these times of years. You know, (the injury) didn’t slow him down at all. He continued to battle … something you love to see.”

Sure, it couldn’t have been easy. Since the reverse hit from Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola in the 1st period, Knies was visibly in discomfort the entire game. But talk about taking responsibility for the team. He didn’t retreat. The Leafs are already dealing with so many injuries and he knew their backs were against the wall. Any bit of contribution was going to be crucial.

What makes it more impressive is that Matthew Knies is just 23 years old. And in such a short period, he has already become a fan favorite. Obviously, it has a lot to do with his 5 goals and 7 assists in 12 postseason games. He has become a key player in the O-line with captain Auston Matthews and alternate captain Marner.

But commitments like this – playing through pain, seeing it through, ensuring the Leafs’ Stanley Cup dreams stay alive, that’s what makes you a cult hero in the fanbase. And inspires the locker-room to make a stand, which the Leafs did at the Amerant Bank Arena.  Well, it was necessary. Overturning a 6-1 defeat on home ice into a 2-0 win on the road, that too against the defending Stanley Cup champs, needed something special. Matthew Knies provided that. But now, maybe the Leafs will have to cross the finishing line without him.

Mitch Marner and co. get ready for Game 7, maybe without Matthew Knies

Matthew Knies doesn’t just bring goals. He also brings a degree of physicality to the ice that you need to fight off the Panthers. But the left-winger clearly wasn’t OK. “I can’t even move it,” he was captured saying on the bench. Even on the bench, he was seen hobbled on his left side. On the ice, he was used as a last resort. When coach Craig Berube didn’t have any other option, he sent out Knies. But that meant only 5 shifts in the 3rd period, compared to 8 shifts in the first.

And the 23-year-old was not able to use his body for forechecking, or comfortable when the puck was on offer. Talking to the reporters, Berube was clear, “We don’t know right now … we’ve got to look at him and see how he’s feeling tomorrow.” Yes, the forward wasn’t seen in any protective gear or cast after the game. Which is good news for the Leafs fans. But the game is in just 2 days. Is there enough time?

Well, if calamity does strike, and Knies is out. Who comes in? Max Pacioretty? The veteran will be the best bet. The 36-year-old scored the 2nd goal in Game #6. He has delivered when called upon. With 2 goals and 2 assists against the Panthers, he can fill in for Knies’ youthful exuberance with his experience. And there’s also the issue of Anthony Stolarz. Joseph Woll has been deputizing like an able goaltender since Stolarz took an elbow to the head in this Panthers series only.

And now it’s touch and go with Matthew Knies. Whatever happens, the Leafs will suit up for the Sunday battle with what they got. Because one thing they have shown is that they have got guts.