Matthew Knies has shoutout for ex-Leafs forward

In what was truly a wild back and forth affair at Scotiabank Arena last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs ultimately emerged victorious over their rival Tampa Bay Lightning by a 6-5 final score in overtime. The Leafs were able to overcome a 1st period deficit of 4-1 that saw starting goaltender Ilya Samsonov yanked from the net in favor of Joseph Woll, who has slowly but surely been earning the confidence of Leafs fans over the former. 

Meanwhile, it was rookie forward Matthew Knies who contributed a goal with two assists, giving him a total of three goals and four assists in 12 games played. But it was influence from a now-former member of the Leafs that has gone a long way in helping him to establish his own presence on the ice. 

Former 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly, whom the Leafs acquired from the St. Louis Blues at last season’s NHL Trade Deadline and who helped them finally win a postseason round for the 1st time in 19 years, made quite the impression on Knies. 

As the rookie forward puts it, it was “Factor” (O’Reilly’s nickname) who gave him advice, specifically on knocking pucks out of the air, which is how he scored in last night’s game. 

“Factor was a big influence on that and does a really good job on that kind of stuff,” Knies said of O’Reilly. “It kinda opened my eyes up to it a little bit.”

O’Reilly is now with the Nashville Predators after openly admitting that it was the constant media spotlight in the hockey-mad market of Toronto that factored into his decision to depart over the summer. 

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