Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Matthew Knies has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club but did not provide a further update on his status Friday.
Knies left Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights after getting hit by Zach Whitecloud and immediately headed to the locker room. He was ruled out of the game shortly thereafter. Whitecloud was assessed a two-minute minor and avoided supplementary discipline from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
“It’s a hockey hit. It’s been around forever. It’s a clean hit,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Thursday. “It’s a tough play. He’s in a vulnerable position a little bit. The guy was on him from behind and it’s a tough play. It is, but it’s hockey. That’s part of the game.”
The 22-year-old has been one of the NHL’s breakout stars this season, recording eight goals and 19 points in 20 games.
Max Domi has not been ruled out of Sunday’s game. Domi was placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 16 on Wednesday, which would allow him to become eligible to return on Saturday — for all intents and purposes, Sunday. Domi has recorded six assists in 19 games and missed Wednesday’s contest against the Golden Knights.
As a result of Knies and Domi’s injuries, Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten have been afforded greater opportunities to make an impact with the Maple Leafs. Minten scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday, while Grebenkin’s physicality and forechecking were on full display in his NHL debut. Nick Robertson will likely play on Toronto’s second line if Domi can’t play, as Pontus Holmberg and William Nylander are taking reps together, while Toronto’s first line of Bobby McMann, John Tavares and Mitch Marner remains intact.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson did not skate during Friday’s practice due to an illness, but the Maple Leafs are optimistic he can play Sunday. Philippe Myers was recalled from a conditioning loan, and it’s possible the Maple Leafs elect to try out an 11-forward, 7-defenceman format due to the wave of injuries to the forward corps.
