Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies shared a hilarious take on his role during special-teams play. The 22-year-old forward, who is part of the Maple Leafs’ power-play unit, lauded his fellow teammates for their skill and talent while clarifying that he looked to engage defensemen and tried to neutralize them during a power play on the ice.
Matthew Knies and Toronto Maple Leafs Hold Commanding 3–0 Lead in Playoff Series
Speaking to reporters after the win on Thursday, Knies was asked a question about the Maple Leafs’ power play doing well.
“I just gotta park my big a** in front, and you know, create havoc,” Knies told reporters. “Take that D away, take the eyes away, and those guys make plays, and luckily we found a bounce tonight to get us going.”
"You have a lot of star talent with those four guys there, I've just got to park my big a** in front."
Matthew Knies knows his role on the Leafs' power-play. :joy: pic.twitter.com/aRGM3hrnAO
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 25, 2025
The Maple Leafs have been on the winning side of the ‘Battle of Ontario’ so far in the series. Knies was part of the squad that won 3-2 in overtime against the Senators in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series on Thursday, April 24, at Canadian Tire Centre. The young forward scored the Maple Leafs’ opening goal at 8:31 in the second period to tie the score 1-1.
Both teams’ captains, Auston Matthews for the Maple Leafs and Senators’ Brady Tkachuk, scored a goal apiece during the third period to leave the score tied at 2-2 in regulation. Leafs’ player Simon Benoit scored the game-winner at 1:19 in overtime.
“It’s always great when a guy like that scores a goal,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said via NHL.com. “A big goal like that, overtime goal, game-winner. ‘Beny’ has played extremely well for us defensively and being hard to play against and does all of those things. So, it’s nice when guys like that are rewarded with a big goal.”
The playoff series between the local rivals has been combative at times, with neither side’s players pulling their punched. Senators forward Ridly Greig was involved in multiple tussles with Leafs’ starting goalie Anthony Stolarz in Game 1 and 2 of the series. Greig was also handed a reduced two-minute penalty in Game 1 for cross-checking Maple Leafs’ forward John Tavares.
In the pregame warmup ahead of Game 3 on Thursday, Senators’ forward Nick Cousins allegedly shot a puck towards Stolarz, in an incident dubbed “Warmupgate.” Senators’ coach Travis Green reportedly spoke with Cousins about the incident before joking about it during a media session on Friday.
“It’s an active investigation. I don’t know if I can comment,” the Senators’ coach quipped. “Cousins and Stolarz have played together. I dunno. He’s probably trying to either laugh at him or make a joke or get him off his game. Is what it is. Game within a game. Happens a lot more than you think.”
The Maple Leafs have a chance to sweep the series with a win on Saturday, April 26.