Matthew Knies and Teammates React to Slick Between-the-Legs Pass on OT Winner
Matthew Knies scored the OT winner to cap off a Maple Leafs victory as well as a hat trick, and was trying to create some magic on the game winning goal.
Although the team couldn't come away with a regulation victory to basically lock up first place in the Atlantic, the Maple Leafs still
managed to come away with a crucial two points after Matthew Knies completed his hat trick and sealed the deal in the extra frame.
It was a huge positive as the team heads towards the playoffs, and the fact the top line combined for nine points against an elite opponent means only good things for the team as they figure out if they face Ottawa or Florida in the first round.
That goal by Knies was his second career hat trick, and it couldn't have come at a better time. But it was how he got the goal that was leaving people stunned.
Knies was sprung on a 2-on-1 and tried to make a cheeky between the legs pass to
Morgan Rielly for the winner but wasn't able to score, at which point
Auston Matthews got the puck from Rielly, made a quick deke and dished it to Knies for the open net goal.
Matthew Knies' Confidence Result Of Unbelievable Season
Speaking afterwards on the attempt, Knies' teammates explained how everything unfolded starting with the captain explaining his role in the winner:
Yeah, I mean, I was just hopping on the ice, and I was having trouble believing what I was seeing in front of me, but Mo made a really nice play to me, and I was able to just catch it, and I knew he was backdoor there, and I just tried to find him as quickly as possible and not let Vasilevsky get over.
Craig Berube seemed to be a little less impressed with the highlight reel attempt and while he didn't necessarily get upset with his star forward, he would just appreciate it doesn't happen regularly:
I'm not sure I recommend that play, but guys try things. What, he tried in Michigan the other night? He's got confidence right now.
Whether it's a new swath of confidence from
Knies or a bit of luck, it doesn't really matter as long as he keeps putting up the type of season he has.
In 74 games he has 55 points (29G, 26A), 180 hits, and nearly a 20% shooting percentage in only his second full season with the Leafs. A one of a kind player, Knies isn't just on the path to being a star, he's already there and it's a matter of when, not if, he becomes one of the NHL's elite.
A restricted free agent at the end of the season, Toronto needs to lock him up pronto, and it shouldn't matter what the number is; the cap is rising, it's going to be a bargain in a few years, it all makes sense.
All the talk about
Mitch Marner leaving has dominated the headlines this season, but if we look past that chatter, we can see Toronto has a superstar in their wings, and he might just end up being better in the long run.
Previously on HockeyPatrol
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AVRIL 10 | 419 ANSWERS Matthew Knies and Teammates React to Slick Between-the-Legs Pass on OT Winner Is Matthew Knies going to be Toronto's top scorer in the playoffs? |
| Yes | 284 | 67.8 % |
| No | 135 | 32.2 % |
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