Sheldon Keefe speaks like a proud father about Matthew Knies

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe praised Matthew Knies for his growth since last post-season following the rookie's overtime goal last night against the Boston Bruins.

Early into the extra frame in game five, Knies pounced on a rebound from a drive to the Bruins net from Captain John Tavares and buried the game-winning goal to extend the Leafs season at least one more game. Without Auston Matthews in the lineup due to an 'illness', the Leafs needed someone to step up and deliver and Knies did just that in the fourth period.

Following his heroics, Keefe was asked about how Knies has grown as a player and what the difference is between last post-season and this post-season for the 21-year-old.




Knies spent the majority of the season skating alongside Matthews and Mitch Marner where he registered 15 goals and 35 points in his rookie season. Although he didn't put up the eye-popping numbers like other young players did, he significantly improved his play away from the puck and in the defensive zone throughout the season. A former second-round pick, Knies is the type of power forward that the Leafs have long been lacking and it appears that he is about to take another huge step forward in his development.