Maple Leafs Winger Matthew Knies Confirms What He's Prioritizing Over 4 Nations Break

As the 4 Nations Face-Off begins on February 12th, many NHL players are preparing to compete in the tournament, while others will stay home or travel, taking full advantage of the break.

For some players, the almost two-week hiatus is a crucial opportunity to rest and recover from lingering injuries. One of those players in need of some much-deserved downtime is Toronto Maple Leafs sophomore Matthew Knies, who has confirmed that health is at the front of his mind during the break.

Knies has battled through injuries this season, missing a few games, and he's eager for some much-needed rest.

In an article by Evan Doerfler of The Hockey News entitled "Getting All the Bumps and Bruises Out: Matthew Knies Plans to Embrace Recovery Time as Maple Leafs Begin 4 Nations Face-Off Break", Knies shared his thoughts on how he plans to use his time off.

While he recognizes the importance of rest, Knies also admitted that he will likely be eager to return to the ice soon, which is common for any young player.

Knies is currently having a breakout season, already surpassing his point total from last year (35 points) with 36 points in just 29 games-despite battling injuries.

Even with these setbacks, Knies is in good spirits. In fact, he recently tried to humorously trick a referee after scoring a controversial goal that initially looked like a potential high-stick, but the play was ultimately confirmed as a valid goal.

The Maple Leafs have faced numerous injuries to key players this season, and the upcoming break could play an important role in helping the team recover and get fresh for the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.