USATSI 25117524 scaled e1736050707428

Maple Leafs report cards: Matthew Knies dazzles in back-and-forth battle

By / / Sports

[ad_1]

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday wasn’t even in the same stratosphere as Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders. The Leafs were faster, more energized and took the reins in the opening period, not letting them go even when short-handed. All four lines outworked Boston and spent the majority of their time in the offensive zone and when called upon, Joseph Woll made the saves to keep the momentum in Toronto’s favour.

Offence from the defence was a theme as Jake McCabe scored his first goal of the season off a fast-paced shift in Boston’s end. And although they didn’t beat Jeremy Swayman, the rest of the Leafs blue line was throwing more shots on net. Woll didn’t deal with too much chaos but still stood tall to make the saves. The Leafs’ penalty kill had a run as well though Boston had no shots from it.

Matthew Knies doubled the lead in the middle frame, though, Boston got it back 12 seconds later. Toronto and Boston went scoreless after each took a penalty, and it looked as if the Leafs would at least go into the third with the lead. That was until the 1:20 mark of the period. A lost draw, some bad luck, and poor coverage gave Trent Frederic the time and space to score on Woll.

As up-and-down as the second period was, the third hit a whole new level. Knies, with a highlight-reel effort, scored his second of the game but couldn’t spend too much time on it as David Pastrnak made it a 3-3 game 15 seconds later. Then a little over a minute later, Knies completed the hat trick for the first time in his career giving the Leafs the lead once again.

The Bruins pushed late but Mitch Marner found the back of the empty net. Nevertheless, a timeout, game plan and an extra attacker led to Pastrnak’s second of the game bringing Boston within one. The top line and pairing stayed out to stop another tying goal resulting in Auston Matthews scoring in his return to secure the win for the Leafs.

There was a lot to like about tonight’s effort, and a lot to hate. The top line finished with 13 total points and the pace of the performance is something we haven’t seen too often. On the other hand, the game was closer than it should’ve been, and giving Boston chances to get back into the game immediately after scoring is a dirty habit they need to get rid of. Fun and exciting game all around, but a little too exciting in several ways. Toronto gets a final grade of B+.

Player reports

Matthew Knies: A+

The best Knies has looked in a long time: quick, heavy, strong, and engaged leading to a hat trick and five-point game. His first goal was a great start of a great for him. Knies took a glove to the face but continued skating and went right for the front of the net to deflect the shot pass.

His second was a thing of beauty while his third and final was all about being in the right place at the right time.

This is the Knies the Leafs need.

Mitch Marner: A+

Marner also had a five-point night. A lot of his assists came from working for the loose pucks and finding the open man. He got his 39th assist finding Bobby McMann that way and had a few moments doing the same to his linemates.

Marner also made the smart choice to get the first empty-netter himself instead of finding Knies for a fourth goal. Pastrnak was close enough where a steal was possible and considering what happened next, securing the goal was the best option.

Auston Matthews: A+

It didn’t take long for Matthews to get into this one as he started the game needing to get back defensively to stop a two-on-one. Matthews’ focus on defence didn’t drop.

He had direct impacts on two of Knies’ goals, the last being a strong forecheck to beat his man and open himself to make the pass. The cherry on top was his empty-net goal. Splendid return.

Chris Tanev: A

Save at one end, goal at the other though Tanev had the save instead of Woll. Pastrnak had a wide-open net and Tanev got the rebound. He had another point-blank block on Pastrnak late in the third.

Jake McCabe: A-

A shot so quick it confused the in-arena goal horn. McCabe had an open lane to Swayman and took his shot.

McCabe saw a lot of time in the final minutes of the game and had some key box outs but some bad luck on Pastrnak’s second without a stick.

Joseph Woll: B+

The third start in a row and Woll is looking better for it despite his .867 save percentage in this game. There was a scary moment early in the game after Pastrnak’s shot went off the crossbar but Woll stopped it from rolling over the goal line. His timing was solid for the majority of the night and looked in control of the puck save for some sequences. I’m not sure you can hold any of the goals against on Woll. Overall, he looked steady, calm and focused.

Simon Benoit: B

Mighty fine game from Benoit. He was the lone player back and stopped a two-on-one from attacking an advancing Frederic and created a high-danger scoring chance for Tavares.

Morgan Rielly: B

Didn’t finish the game with a shot. Rielly had a great chance to score but an unlucky bounce got in the way.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson: B-

He lost sight of Geekie on his goal as he skated right by him in front of the net. That said, his hit on Pastrnak in the defensive zone led to the transition down ice for Knies’ second of the night.

Philippe Myers: B-

Myres had some good battles along the boards and two of them led to direct zone clears on the penalty kill, holding the Bruins back from setting up. He overplayed that late-second draw though and ran into McMann. It didn’t cause the goal against, but it didn’t help.

David Kämpf: B-

Dominant in the faceoff circle winning seven of 10.

William Nylander: C+

Three shots on goal including a scoring chance out of the box.

Bobby McMann: C+

Good quick shots from a player with a hot hand. The collision off the draw with Myers is a tough pill to swallow.

Nick Robertson: C+

Good chance on Swayman in the first and he stepped in front of a frustrated Pastrnak slapshot.

John Tavares: C+

The pass attempt to Nylander made sense but he held onto the puck a second or two too long giving Pastrnak the opportunity to steal and score on it.

Max Pacioretty: C

Pacioretty nearly connected with Nylander for two goals. The first was a clever deflection off the skate and the other was a shot off the post that made the in-area staff blow the goal horn.

Connor Dewar: C

Had a chance at getting his first of the year as well but his shot went wide

Steven Lorentz: C

Finished the game with four hits.

Max Domi: C-

That late-period goal starts with Domi losing the draw, and his focus is on the puck carrier. The collision off the draw made it a bit of a mess, but Frederic was Domi’s guy, and he wound up alone in the slot. Domi finished the game 28.6 percent in the circle.

Game score

Screenshot 2025 01 04 at 11.19.37%E2%80%AFPM

What’s next for the Leafs?

The second half of this back-to-back on Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena (7:00 p.m. on Sportsnet Ontario) kicks off a home-and-home against the Philadelphia Flyers.

(Photo: John E. Sokolowski / Imagn Images)



[ad_2]

Source link

Scroll to Top