Leafs’ Matthew Knies ‘good to go,’ will play in Game 7 vs. Panthers

It remains to be seen exactly which version of Matthew Knies is present for Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena Sunday night. But we can at least count on Knies taking the ice.

After he labored through an injury sustained in the first period of Game 6 Friday night, Knies will play in Game 7, Leafs head coach Craig Berube told media Sunday.

Berube also told reporters Knies would be deployed in his normal roles Sunday night.

Knies, the Leafs’ top-line power forward, was hurt during Game 6 while pulling up before hitting Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, who delivered a reverse hit to Knies’ midsection. Knies immediately grimaced in pain and missed shifts on and off throughout the rest of the game, occasionally replaced by Bobby McMann on the first line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and by Max Pacioretty on the top power play unit.

Berube was non-committal after the game and in subsequent media availabilities in describing the nature of the injury, disclosing only that Knies will suit up for Game 7.

Knies, 22, has five goals and seven points, with 31 hits, in 12 games this postseason. That production followed a breakout regular season in which he delivered 29 goals and 58 points in 78 games. Knies is a restricted free agent this summer.

“Kniesy is developing into a heck of a player,” said Leafs center John Tavares, per Leafs Nation’s Arun Srinivasan. “How quick his evolution has been throughout the first couple of years and certainly this season, the steps he’s taken to becoming a career power forward, he plays in all situations, made some huge plays and he’s had some big moments for us already, so good to see him out there and getting ready to go.”