Matthew Knies absent from the Leafs lineup ahead of game vs Vegas

Matthew Knies is out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup in practice ahead of tonight's game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Matthew Knies was absent for Leafs practice ahead of the game against Vegas and a reunion with former longtime Leaf Mitch Marner.

Nick Robertson has been inserted into the Leafs lineup with Knies absent, with the reason for his absence currently unclear, not known if it is precautionary or if Knies is dealing with an issue.

Robertson missed the Leafs last game vs Utah after taking a shot off his leg against the Colorado Avalanche. Calle Jarnkrok, who took over for Robertson in his place in the lineup, stays in on the fourth line with Knies unavailable.

Knies missed a game against the St. Louis Blues back in November in what was a sudden absence due to what was revealed as a lingering lower-body issue. It's unknown if his absence has any relation to the injury.

There's no sign that had come of any known injury for Knies, who played the Leafs last game against the Utah Mammoth, although he was playing on the third line for Toronto.

The reason for Knies being out of the lineup should be answered by Leafs head coach Craig Berube after the team's practice session.

Knies, 23, has 12 goals, 26 assists, & 38 points in 42 games this season for the Leafs. Knies has gone scoreless in his last four games, part of the reasoning for him being demoted to the bottom-six.

In four games against the Golden Knights, Knies has been scoreless in his career against Vegas, a -2 against the team where he hasn't been able to break through with a point.

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