Matthew Knies not ‘100%’ as he plays through injury for Maple Leafs

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Matthew Knies is gutting it out.

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The Maple Leafs winger is playing through a nagging lower-body injury and he summed his situation up succinctly after the Leafs lost 6-3 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.

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“It’s been honestly sh—y, but I have to do my best to prepare as well as I can,” Knies said at Scotiabank Arena. “It’s one of those (injuries) that the more more you play, the more wear and tear (there is) on it.

“It’s not going to really get better. The Christmas break helped a lot. It’s a pretty tough schedule we have right now with this month, playing every other day, so recovery is pretty important.”

Knies played 19 minutes 11 seconds after his status was a game-time decision and he set up John Tavares for a power-play goal near the end of the first period. That was the extent of Knies’ offensive contribution, as he did not have a shot on goal nor as much as a shot attempt. He was credited with one of the Leafs’ 23 hits during the game.

Rest when possible

With eight more games before the Leafs’ Olympic break starts following their game in Edmonton against the Oilers on Feb. 3, Knies will have to use what little rest he can get to his advantage.

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Already without injured forwards William Nylander and Dakota Joshua, losing Knies for any period would be a blow to a Leafs group that doesn’t have a ton of forward depth. In November, the lower-body injury put Knies on the sideline for three games.

We asked Knies whether it was more of a pain or discomfort issue that he is dealing with now.

“Honestly, all the above, really,” Knies said. “It’s just getting it ready, getting it warmed up.

“It doesn’t hinder my ability to play. I’m here. I’m playing. I’m a part of the group. But I just really haven’t felt 100% for quite a while now.

“We have a big break coming up, so I’m just going to try to use it to recover to the best of my ability. And try to be back and help the team.”

Despite the issue, Knies has been offensively consistent for the most part, compiling 41 points (12 goals and 29 assists) in 46 games to put himself in fourth among Leafs scoring leaders.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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