Matthew Knies Leaves Maple Leafs Game After Getting Hit By Golden Knights Defenseman Zach Whitecloud, Review Deems Hit Clean

The Toronto Maple Leafs were already short forwards entering their game with the Vegas Golden Knights and they could be down another.

Matthew Knies left the game in the second period after he was on the receiving end of a hit by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud. The Golden Knights’ skater was initially assessed a major penalty. Upon review, the penalty was rescinded.

Knies appeared to hit his head on the ice when he came down from the hit. He was quickly addressed by training staff before going to the Maple Leafs dressing room for a further assessment.

Tension flared in this game as Nikita Grebenkin, making his NHL debut, delivered a hard hit to Shea Theodore that Vegas didn’t like.

Following the Whitecloud hit on Knies, many other scrums ensured.

During Knies’ rookie season, he hit his head on the ice when he was taken down by Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett during the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He sustained a concussion from the play.

Related: Maple Leafs Matthew Knies Diagnosed With Concussion and Ruled Out for Games 3 and 4 Against Panthers

The Maple Leafs were already short forwards going into this game and are currently in the middle of having their depth in the position tested..

The Leafs entered the game without Auston Matthews (upper body), Max Pacioretty (lower body) Calle Jarnkok (sports hernia), David Kampf (lower body) and Max Domi (lower-body). The Leafs are also without Ryan Reaves, who was suspended five games for his hit to the head of Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman Darnell Nurse.

The Leafs ruled Knies out for the remainder of the game as the third period began.