Leafs rookie Matthew Knies ruled out for at least next two games with a concussion

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without rookie forward Matthew Knies for at least the next two games, head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters Friday.

Keefe said that Knies, who has one goal and three assists in seven games so far this post-season, was diagnosed with a concussion and has been ruled out for Games 3 and 4. He’ll be day-to-day after that, though Keefe said he’s “unlikely to return in the series.”

In Game 2 on Thursday night, Knies was driven into the boards behind Florida’s net by Panthers forward Sam Bennett about halfway through the first period before being tackled to the ice. He appeared to be shaken up and took some time to get to the Leafs’ bench.

The 20-year-old rookie returned to the game briefly in the opening period but did not come out with the team to start the second and was eventually ruled out.

It wasn’t the only controversial play that Bennett was involved in Thursday. The Panthers forward was fined $5,000 (U.S.) — the the maximum allowable under the NHL’s CBA — earlier in the day for his cross-check on Michael Bunting.

Losing the speedy and crafty Knies, who scored his first career NHL playoff goal in Game 1 on Tuesday, will be a blow to the Leafs’ offence as they look to climb back from an 0-2 deficit against the Panthers.

For Game 3, Zach Aston-Reese could return to the fourth line or the Leafs could look to go with 11 forwards and seven defencemen by bringing Erik Gustafsson back into the lineup.

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