It’s nearly that point once more for the Maple Leafs to modify their focus to the playoffs and alter the narrative of previous seasons.
Matthew Knies #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
It has been a pattern for many of the Leafs prime gamers to underperform when the stress is on, so the groups gamers outdoors of the core 4 might want to step it up to make sure postseason success.
One participant that might have the utmost worth come the playoffs is Leafs ahead Matthew Knies.
Knies has had an incredible sophomore season, recording 26 targets for 52 factors in 72 video games which is a brand new profession excessive, as in his rookie yr he was solely capable of put up 35 factors in 80 video games performed.
With six video games to nonetheless be performed to shut out the common season, Knies will be capable to solely add to this years tally of factors.
If Knies can proceed his kind, he will probably be a beneficial piece to puzzle for the Buds to lastly break the curse and convey the Stanley Cup again to Toronto.
One of many essential issues for the Leafs previously has been the standard of depth scoring, Knies will be capable to assist with this concern, being a key choice outdoors of the core 4 gamers.
Final season’s first spherical sequence towards the Boston Bruins, Knies was capable of put up two targets together with certainly one of them being a time beyond regulation winner in sport 5 to ship the sequence again to Toronto for sport 6.
If Knies can maintain his scoring contact rolling come playoffs, The Leafs will solely have one other weapon to deploy when looking for targets.
Together with Scoring, the 6’3 energy ahead’s fashion of play may even profit the crew when the video games are likely to get extra bodily.
Knies has not been afraid to get soiled within the corners utilizing his dimension and power to his benefit.
Knies has additionally thrown his weight round this seasons and in a playoffs, this might put on down the opposition, which may very well be essential in a possible seven sport sequence.
Solely three gamers have been capable of document over 150 hits and 25 targets this season, the gamers being Tom Wilson, Brady Tkachuk and Knies.
The younger gun has additionally discovered himself on the penalty kill and powerplay, incomes the belief of head coach Craig Berube as successful the particular groups battle within the playoffs is a should, Knies will be capable to assist with that.
For Knies’ early profession within the NHL, he has discovered himself on the primary line taking part in with the likes of Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews which has been the proper mixture of play types. 
Knies together with his physicality and energy, Marner together with his poise and playmaking together with Matthews’ talent and purpose scoring capability has led to a lot success and if all three gamers can preform to their finest come the postseason, the Leafs could have a really harmful first line nobody would need to play towards.
If Knies and the remainder of the crew can proceed their sport from the common season, Leafs Followers ought to count on to look at their crew play extra hockey previous the month of April.
