These will not be the Toronto Maple Leafs fans are accustomed to seeing within the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Skepticism surrounded the No. 1 seed within the Eastern Conference entering the postseason, because it at all times does, but this squad is proving just how truly different it’s under head coach Craig Berube. Even though it is just the primary round, the Leafs are showing remarkable grit of their quest for the Holy Grail.
Look no further than Saturday’s Game 4 matchup versus the home-team Ottawa Senators. Trailing 0-2, it will have been easy for the players to subconsciously get content with their overwhelming series lead and move onto the subsequent one. Toronto elevated its intensity, nevertheless, and clawed its way back into the motion. Following a John Tavares goal near the top of the primary period, Matthew Knies engaged in some stick sorcery.
Greater than 10 minutes into the second period, the 22-year-old left winger hustled and employed nifty puck handling before scoring a goal right underneath the post. Knies gave his squad a welcome burst of momentum, which they took into the ultimate period. It didn’t last long, nevertheless, because the Senators recaptured the lead with a David Perron goal.
However the Leafs fought back once more, as veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson got here through with the equalizer with five and a half minutes remaining in regulation. Before the entire madness, fans were already mesmerized attributable to Knies’ splendid rating.
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“Skill level on this sport is something else no?” @Vestoriin asked rhetorically. “Matthew Knies overwhelming amount of clutch gene,” @JDBunkis remarked.
The No. 57 overall pick within the 2021 NHL Draft is coming of age, right when it matters most. Although Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares receive many of the attention in Toronto, Knies is a vital part of this team. His future looks quite brilliant.
The people agree. “Knies is a future superstar, Leafs should max out his contract,” @StonedddP opined. Drama is high within the Candian Tire Centre, as Ottawa clings to its Stanley Cup Playoffs life. The rating stays tied 3-3 at time of print, and the Maple Leafs currently lead the Battle for Ontario 3-0.
