The Stars Align For Kines: Matthew Knies Explosion Leaves Fans and Coach Awestruck

All Matthew Knies needed was for the Boston Bruins to come to town, and Auston Matthews to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup.

Knies posted a career night Saturday at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto’s 22-year-old power forward scored his first career hat-trick, and had five points on the evening. Pointless in five of his last six games, Knies admitted to reporters after defeating the Bruins, it felt great to feel like things were going his way again.

“Yeah, it felt incredible. Felt the luck back on my side,” Knies stated after the Leafs’ 6-4 victory over the Boston Bruins.

Knies loves playing against Boston. The sophomore forward has scored five goals, and collected nine points in seven regular season meetings against the Bruins. That doesn’t even include his game 5 winner from last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. Knies knows anytime the Bruins are in town, it’s going to have a playoff vibe, and Saturday’s matchup was no different.

“It felt like a playoff game today with the physicality and the back and forth play,” Knies said. “Give them props, they played a heck of a game, they’re a good team over there. I think we capitalized on our chances today.”

Knies hadn’t scored a goal in nine games, and had been recently called out by head coach Craig Berube to be more direct with the puck. Knies admitted after the game that his game was lacking recently in certain areas, and it was obvious getting Matthews back in the lineup certainly gave his legs a boost heading into a big rivalry game.

“It’s pretty incredible what he can do for our team. The energy he can bring, he makes players around him better, and that’s what showed tonight,” Knies stated about Matthews’ return. “I think there was a little bit missing. Obviously, I don’t think I was as direct, physical, kind of lacked shooting in my game, and some bounces that kind of didn’t go my way.”

The bounces were all going Knies way against the Bruins. Three goals, two assists, a plus-6 rating, a reunited top line, and a chance to get back at it again Sunday, when the Maple Leafs welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to town.

“I’d been off the score sheet for a little bit, it was just nice to feel that again, and hopefully, I can kind of keep this going.”