Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies has elevated his performance in the 2025 playoffs, drawing praise from teammates for his consistent impact.
The 22-year-old has tallied four points in the first three games of the current series, including a standout two-point effort in Game 3 where he scored just 23 seconds in and assisted on Morgan Rielly’s equalizer that pushed the game to overtime.
Head coach Craig Berube noted on Saturday that Knies has remained true to his playing style while stepping up to meet the heightened demands of playoff hockey.
“He’s playing the same way he has all season—fast, physical, and around the net,” Berube said. “In the playoffs, your game needs to rise, and he’s certainly done that.”
Knies currently shares second place in playoff goals for the Leafs with John Tavares, trailing only William Nylander, and is tied for fourth in overall postseason points on the team.
This surge in form comes at an ideal time for the young forward, who is approaching restricted free agency. Despite this being just his third playoff run, he’s clearly earning the respect of his teammates.
“He’s been unbelievable,” said Max Pacioretty. “He knows when to step it up. Sometimes it looks like defenders just can’t take the puck from him. It’s been impressive watching him rise in clutch moments.”
Knies’ performance is leading some to suggest he’s now part of an expanded “Core Five” for the Leafs, given his growing influence.
For his part, Knies credits Berube’s steady leadership and the positive mentality instilled in the team.
“He’s really helped us get focused and ready every night,” Knies said. “We’ve started strong in this series, and he’s played a big role in building that winning culture.”
