Matthew Knies Shines as Toronto Maple Leafs Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning
Maple Leafs forward records two goals and one assist to aid team’s victory.
TORONTO — Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on late to down the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Monday. Auston Matthews, with a goal and an assist, and William Nylander also scored for Toronto. Joseph Woll made 27 saves. Mitch Marner added an empty-net goal and two assists. On the other side, Nick Paul scored twice for Tampa, and Darren Raddysh had one goal and one assist. Jonas Johansson stopped 23 shots, and Victor Hedman chipped in with two assists.
The Leafs, who picked up their third straight regulation victory over the Lightning this season, topped the Atlantic Division with 62 points after extending their current winning streak to three games. Nylander made it 2-0 with his team-leading 28th goal on a breakaway during the second period. Paul got one back for the visitors, but Knies put Toronto up 3-1 right before the intermission, showcasing his knack for stepping up during key moments.
The game showcased more twists as Raddysh and Knies traded goals during the third period. Paul narrowed the gap to 4-3 with under eight minutes to go on a power play, but Marner sealed the deal by scoring on an empty net with just 65 seconds remaining.
A notable moment came when the teams seemed set to go to the locker rooms at the second intermission with the Leafs leading 2-1. Just 22.3 seconds before the end of the period, Marner found the swift-skated Knies behind Tampa's defense to restore the two-goal lead, demonstrating the strategic prowess of Toronto's dynamic offense.
Key statistics highlighted Matthews’ performance post-injury, where he has scored eight times and assisted six over nine games. Earlier, he had been sidelined due to upper-body injuries for significant stretches of time, but his return seems to have invigorated the Maple Leafs' scoring power. "Matthews has scored eight times and added six assists over nine games since sitting out six contests with an undisclosed upper-body injury," reported The Canadian Press.
Matthew Knies' continuous progression on the ice adds depth to the Maple Leafs’ lineup. Having recently notched one assist during the Maple Leafs' 7-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, Knies is proving his worth as a formidable asset with consistent offensive contributions. "Knies continues to provide head coach Craig Berube with an imposing option as part of a talented Toronto lineup," said Maple Leafs correspondent Chris Schommer.
Woll’s performance to date is noteworthy as he made his 25th appearance, matching the netminder's career-high set earlier this season. This game also marked his 61st regular-season outing, solidifying his role on the team throughout the season.
The Lightning faced difficulties with their goaltending strategy, as Johansson had been called upon to replace the injured Andrei Vasilevskiy and struggled against the attacking prowess of the Leafs. This season, Johansson has allowed eight goals on 38 shots over two starts against Toronto.
The upcoming schedule looks promising for both teams. The Lightning will continue their four-game road trip on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens, facing their own challenges as the regular season continues. For the Maple Leafs, they will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday, aiming to continue their winning momentum.
Moving forward, the Maple Leafs are poised to build on their recent successes as they navigate the season, with Knies and Matthews leading the charge. This victory against the Lightning demonstrates their capacity to hold their own at the top of the Atlantic Division, as they capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain defensive pressure.