Matthews and Marner pleased with the play of two of the younger players on the team in win over Tampa
Last night, Maple Leafs rookie Matthew Knies got to play alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner after spending the majority of the season so far shuffling between the second and third line. Not only did Knies score, but he also set up Matthews with a ridiculous pass in the second period to get the Leafs within one. In addition to Knies having a fantastic game, Nicholas Robertson, who lost his roster spot to Fraser Minten at training camp, made his season debut and looked very good as well. Robertson registered an assist on Calle Jarnkrok's go-ahead goal early in the third and helped Max Domi find his feet according to Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Following the game, both Matthews and Marner had some high praise for the pair of Leaf rookies.
Matthews echoed Marner's comments about Robertson's first game, while adding that Robertson appeared to have a confidence he was missing in previous auditions with the Leafs.
Not only did Robertson impress Matthews and Marner, they were equally impressed with their new linemate, Matthew Knies, as well. Matthews and Marner were particularly impressed with how Knies was able to use the combination of his size and skill to make plays in tight.
Marner agreed with Matthews and also commented on Knies' surprising speed as something that really impressed him.
With Knies finishing with a goal and two assists on the top line, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe would be a fool not to keep that line together for at least the next handful of games to see if they can build on this performance. Not only that, but having a more offensive presence in Robertson with Max Domi seemed to help Domi as he played what could be his best game in a Leafs uniform so far - something that Keefe noticed and credited Robertson with.
The Leafs are back in action on Wednesday night when they host the always entertaining Ottawa Senators in the Battle of Ontario.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 7 | 294 ANSWERS Matthews and Marner pleased with the play of two of the younger players on the team in win over Tampa How would you rate Nick Robertson's first game of the season with the Leafs? | ||
| Excellent | 94 | 32 % |
| Good | 164 | 55.8 % |
| Just okay | 30 | 10.2 % |
| Poor | 6 | 2 % |
| List of polls | ||
