Matthew Knies Breaks Silence Following his Heated Altercation with Erik Cernak

Knies commented on his scrap with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak in yesterday's match against Toronto in which tensions flared between the two.

Knies and Cernak got into a scrap in the third period, with the two continuing to trade barbs at each other, even in the penalty box where they were caught still bickering while being sent to serve their penalties.

Knies and Cernak have created new animosity between the two divisional rivals, turning them the heat of the NHL playoffs and it shows a side of Knies we haven't seen much before.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning are both bound for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, having already clinched their playoff spots, and the two teams have a slim chance of playing each other in round one.

Matthew Knies commented on his heated exchange with Erik Cernak, but left it as vague as possible not giving out too much info on what was said:

Whatever happened between the two, it's something that Knies doesn't want to repeat and is better off left unsaid, but there's no doubt there was some colorful language exchanged.

Knies got the last laugh, however, with a game winner in overtime to give Toronto an extra point in the standings, and send Tampa Bay without any points in a tight divisional battle, the Leafs currently now leading the Lightning by three points.

Cernak has a prior negative history with the Toronto Maple Leafs, having previously been suspended for three games back in 2023 for an illegal check to the head of Michael Bunting.

As the regular season comes to the end for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the two teams are already showing a playoff level intensity, something which can re-emerge in bad blood with the chance the two meet come playoffs time.