Sheldon Keefe makes surprising comments about Brad Marchand's collision with Matthew Knies
Photo credit: NHL
Already down 1-0 to the Boston Bruins in the first period, things got worse for the Toronto Maple Leafs as rookie Matthew Knies was drilled by Bruins captain Brad Marchand with just over seven minutes to go in the period in what was clearly interference. Marchand's shoulder made direct contact with Knies' head and Knies immediately headed to the bench, and then, after a few moments, to the dressing room.
Knies did not return to the game, and according to Leafs reporter Joshua Kloke, Knies was held out for precautionary reasons. Following the game, though, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe was not provide an update on the rookie's status nor confirm the severity of the injury. Surprisingly, though, when asked about the collision, Keefe did not blame Marchand.
"I think it is tough guys who are kind of going for the same ice and don't really see each other. I think their guy realized they were on the tracks quicker than our guy did and prepared for it. I think that's all I see there."
Losing Knies would be a huge blow to the Leafs' forward group. While he hasn't put up eye-popping numbers on the top line with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, he has gotten better and better as the season has worn on. In 61 games for the Leafs this season, Knies has 11 goals and 26 points. The 6'3, 217 pound winger has been highly coveted by teams across the league ahead of the deadline, but GM Brad Treliving has already deemed him an untouchable, and rightfully so. With the Leafs back in action Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, we should have an update on Knies at some point today or tomorrow.
| POLL | ||
MARS 8 | 686 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe makes surprising comments about Brad Marchand's collision with Matthew Knies Do you think it was an innocent collision between Marchand and Knies? | ||
| Yes, they just ran into each other | 123 | 17.9 % |
| Nothing Marchand does is an accident | 563 | 82.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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