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The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing incredible hockey in the 2024-25 season. The Maple Leafs had struggled a bit, but have since rattled off three straight wins. Unfortunately, it appears the team is on track to lose Wednesday night to the Columbus Blue Jackets. And they will need to finish the game without forward Matthew Knies.
Knies has been ruled out for the remainder of the game against the Blue Jackets, the Maple Leafs announced. Knies attempted to throw a hit on Columbus forward Kirill Marchenko. Marchenko got the better of the exchange, sending Knies to the ice. He did not return, and Toronto is calling it an upper-body injury.
Matthew Knies left the game late in the second period after throwing this hit. pic.twitter.com/eryjnIQlZL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 23, 2025
Knies has played an important role for the Maple Leafs in 2024-25. The young Toronto forward has scored 18 goals and 31 points in 46 games. His 18 goals on the year already represent a career-high for the former second-round pick. He is on pace to shatter his career high for points with 54 in 80 games.
Knies has unfortunately missed time with injury this season. He suffered an injury against the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the year. However, he only missed two games and was able to return to the ice in quick order.
The Maple Leafs could not pull themselves back into Wednesday night's game. Toronto was down 3-0 to the Blue Jackets at the time of Knies's injury. Nick Robertson and William Nylander saw time on the top line after he left the game. Nylander recorded an assist on Auston Matthews' 20th goal of the season. However, the Blue Jackets pulled away with a 5-1 win.
Losing Knies for an extended period of time would certainly be tough. Toronto does not play again until January 25th, giving them time to figure things out. Hopefully, Knies does not miss a ton of time and can return without complication sooner rather than later.
