Matthew Knies` status for Game 7 is currently unclear.
The Maple Leafs secured a victory in Game 6 on Friday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in their second-round series against the Florida Panthers.
However, the win was slightly overshadowed by uncertainty regarding Matthew Knies` availability for Sunday`s Game 7, as head coach Craig Berube could not definitively confirm his status after the game.
“He`s dealing with something that happened, and we need to assess him to see how he feels tomorrow,” Berube stated. “We`ll see how he is.”
When asked about the nature of Knies` injury, which the team reportedly doesn`t yet know, and his potential availability for Game 7, Berube responded that he “wouldn`t know that question right now.”
Knies seemed to be experiencing discomfort throughout Friday`s contest after an awkward collision with Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola during the first period.
The 23-year-old remained on the bench during play but only recorded 13:01 of ice time, significantly less than his post-season average of 20:11.
“Just conversations with him. Situational,” Berube explained when questioned about managing Knies` minutes, acknowledging the forward was clearly not performing at his usual level.
“I used him in situational plays primarily down the stretch. Whether he felt capable of playing or not, it was mainly me communicating with him on the bench to understand his condition at the moment.”
Knies has accumulated five goals and two assists in 12 playoff games thus far.
Game 7 between Toronto and Florida is scheduled for Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
Tristan Blackwood