Keefe reveals reason for moving Matthew Knies into the top six
Through the Leafs' first three games of the season, Matthew Knies has been skating alongside fellow rookie Fraser Minten on the Leafs' third line. The duo has had moments where they have looked dangerous and have provided some scoring opportunities, but they have been unable to capitalize on those chances thus far. Both Knies and Minten are pointless through 3 games, but with the Leafs heading out on a five game road-trip, Sheldon Keefe is taking the opportunity to shake up the middle-six.
At practice on Wednesday, Keefe had Knies skating with John Tavares and William Nylander on the 2nd line, while Minten was given a pair of veteran wingers to help shelter him on the road in Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok. Following practice, Keefe admitted that part of the reason for the change was due to not having last change on the road to help insulate Minten's minutes. The other part of the reasoning behind the switch, as Keefe said, was that Knies has more to offer.
So far this season, Knies has picked up where he left off in the playoffs before being injured against Florida. Although he has yet to register a point, as mentioned, he has shown his ability to cause chaos in the offensive zone with the way he pressures the puck, as well as using his stick handling and big frame to create space and chances for himself and his linemates. Knies will make his top-six debut Thursday night against the Panthers and with the amount of "snot" on the team now, I don't think the Panthers will be pushing anyone around tonight.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 19 | 55 ANSWERS Keefe reveals reason for moving Matthew Knies into the top six Will Knies score his first of the season Thursday night? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 63.6 % |
| No | 20 | 36.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
