Leafs' Knies likely out for series vs. Panthers with concussion

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie forward Matthew Knies suffered a concussion in Game 2 against the Florida Panthers on Thursday and will miss at least the next two contests, head coach Sheldon Keefe said Friday, per TSN's Chris Johnston.

Keefe added that Knies is unlikely to return to the series against Florida.

Knies was slammed into the boards and then onto the ice by Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who wasn't penalized on the play.

Bennett came under fire for a different play in Game 2 when he cross-checked Michael Bunting in the neck. He received a two-minute minor for that play but avoided suspension.

Despite entering the playoffs with just three NHL regular-season games under his belt, Knies had established himself as a mainstay in Toronto's lineup. The 6-foot-3 power forward was even getting looks on the club's top line.

Knies, 20, has collected a goal and three assists in seven playoff games so far. His 59.5% five-on-five expected goals share ranks fourth on the Leafs this postseason, per Natural Stat Trick.

The Leafs selected Knies 57th overall in the 2021 draft. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top men's hockey player in 2022-23 after racking up 21 goals and 21 assists in 40 games with Minnesota.

Alexander Kerfoot will likely be promoted to the top nine in Knies' absence. Zach Aston-Reese projects to re-enter the lineup if the Leafs decide to roster 12 forwards, while Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson are candidates to play if Toronto opts for an 11-7 configuration.