Matthew Knies Set to Return to Maple Leafs Lineup Against Oilers After Shoulder Injury

Matthew Knies Set to Return to Maple Leafs Lineup Against Oilers After Shoulder Injury

Matthew Knies Set to Return to Maple Leafs Lineup Against Oilers After Shoulder Injury

Matthew Knies, a young star for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is set to make his return to the lineup after a brief absence due to a shoulder injury. The 22-year-old forward, who has been sidelined for the last two games, is expected to suit up against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. His recovery progress has been promising, and he participated fully in practice on Friday, skating alongside top-tier players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, while also rejoining the top power-play unit.

Knies shared with the media that he felt great following the practice and had regained his strength, making him ready for the upcoming game. "I felt I got all my strength back, and I was ready to go, so I think I should be in for tomorrow," he stated. His return to the lineup is a crucial boost for the Leafs, who have struggled offensively during his absence. The team has scored only one goal in each of their last three games, including the match in which Knies got injured.

Also Read:

The injury itself occurred during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 22, when Knies threw a hit on Kirill Marchenko and fell awkwardly. The forward described the play as “kind of a fluky” one, explaining that the injury happened during the hit itself, not from the fall. Fortunately for Knies, the injury wasn’t serious, and he needed only a few days of rehab to get back to full strength. He reflected on the situation, expressing relief that it wasn’t anything major. “Just needed a few days to do some rehab and get it back to 100%,” Knies said.

This isn’t the first time this season that Knies has faced an injury. Earlier, in November, he missed two games due to a hit from Vegas Golden Knights’ defenseman Zach Whitecloud, where his head hit the ice. However, despite these setbacks, Knies has been having a breakout season, already surpassing his previous high in goals with 18. He has also tallied 13 assists and 31 points in just 47 games, putting him on pace to set a new career-high.

Knies’ return is expected to provide a spark for the Leafs' offense as they attempt to snap their current three-game losing streak. With the team looking to build momentum before their two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, the return of a key player like Knies could make all the difference. As he prepares to rejoin his teammates, he remains confident that the practice time he’s had will help him get back into rhythm quickly. “Just kind of going over it in my head a lot is going to help me. But, yeah, I think that gives me confidence that I came back strong from the last one,” Knies added.

Overall, this marks a significant moment for both Knies and the Maple Leafs as they look to recover from recent struggles and head into the next stretch of games with their full roster.

Read More:

Post a Comment

0 Comments