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Matthews and Marner pleased with the play of two of the younger players on the team in win over Tampa

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Ryan Smitheram
November 7, 2023 (9:39)

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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.

"[Robertson] played a hell of a game tonight. Moving his feet all over the ice, controlling the puck well at the same time, making sure he wasn't making any risky plays, making the right play at the right time. It was great to see out of him. He was great defensively as well and that's what you want to see," said Marner of Robertson's first game.

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.

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"He was tenacious. He was all over the puck. He was winning battles. He looked strong, so it's always good and he's an important player in our organization so it looked like he was playing with some confidence tonight."

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.

"He's just so big and strong. you saw he made some incredible plays tonight. On his goal, on the second goal, on our third goal. He's just such a big body and he plays with pace and he holds onto pucks and can make plays so I thought he really complimented us and played really well," Matthews said of the 21-year-old.

Marner agreed with Matthews and also commented on Knies' surprising speed as something that really impressed him.

"His speed off the puck, his plays with the puck in his hands. he brings a lot of speed, he's a big body so he can protect the puck down low and he made some great plays tonight."

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.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Matthews comments on his crowd directed celebration

Highlights from the Leafs' epic comeback win over Tampa with Joe Bowen's commentary

Ilya Samsonov pulled for the 2nd consecutive game against Tampa, throws helmet in disgust

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7 NOVEMBRE \| 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 %
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