Analyst and former Leafs executive states his case for Knies in the Leafs' playoff lineup
Two games into his NHL career, Matthew Knies has 1 point and hasn't looked out of place in the Leafs' top nine. In fact, he has looked surprisingly comfortable. He played 13 and 12 minutes respectively in his first two games against Florida and Tampa - two very tough opponents - as Sheldon Keefe threw him right into the deep end on short notice on Monday, with an injury to Sam Lafferty forcing the late change. Thursday night under the bright lights of Broadway and Madison Square Garden, Knies will have one final opportunity to show that he deserves to be in the Leafs' lineup for Game 1 against Tampa next week.
TSN's Dave Poulin doesn't need to see Knies play another game to put him in the lineup for Game 1. Poulin was on TSN's First Up radio show on Wednesday morning and was asked if he felt Knies could play in the playoffs. "I do," said Poulin in response.
"It's his play along the wall because so much in the playoffs has to be played along the wall. The early indication for me is that Knies' strength is along the wall and when you get skilled players that can play against the wall, we know they can play in open icehe can play. I was emphatic (on the broadcast) that I'd have Knies in the opening lineup because he is different than other options available to them."
Poulin credited Knies' strong stick and use of his size in tight board battles that makes him different than other Leaf forwards. At 6'3 and 210 pounds, Knies is already one of the biggest forwards the Leafs have and that combination with his skillset and hockey IQ could provide some much needed secondary scoring for the Leafs. He is capable of making a big play for this team and, as we saw last year, one big play is sometimes all you need to steal a game in the postseason.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 13 | 254 ANSWERS Analyst and former Leafs executive states his case for Knies in the Leafs' playoff lineup Is Matthew Knies in your Leafs playoff lineup for Game 1 against Tampa? | ||
| Yes | 195 | 76.8 % |
| No | 59 | 23.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
