Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Matthew Knies exited Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after a collision in the second period and did not return.
Prior to his exit, Knies had taken 13:41 in ice time in which he had registered one shot, three hits, and a minus-one rating.
Earlier this season, Knies missed two games due to an upper-body injury, while the 22-year-old forward also missed three games during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs due to a concussion.
On the season, the product of Phoenix, Ariz., has made 46 appearances with the Maple Leafs in which he has collected 18 goals and 13 assists to sit fifth in team scoring with 31 points. Originally chosen 57th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL Draft, Knies has skated part of three seasons with the franchise, totaling 129 career contests in which he has registered 33 goals and 34 assists for 67 points. Knies has also added seven points in 14 postseason outings.
Per PuckPedia, Knies is in the final year of his three-year, entry-level contract and is a due to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
In Knies’ absence, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube elected to skate left winger Nick Robertson on the team’s top line alongside fellow forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. The Maple Leafs trailed the Blue Jackets by three goals at the time of Knies’ exit.
The Maple Leafs entered Wednesday’s contest in the midst of a three-game win streak and atop the Atlantic Division with a 30-16-2 record and 62 points. The Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets met once previously this season, a 6-2 final in Columbus that saw the home team come away with the victory. Knies wrapped up that contest with a goal, his then third tally of the season.
