Knies-ly done in OT as Leafs survive
BOSTON – Matthew Knies lived with John Tavares when he first arrived in the NHL.
The rookie forward forged a close bond with the Toronto captain’s family as he adjusted to life as a pro.
The pair reconnected Tuesday to keep their team breathing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Knies scored at 2:26 of overtime after Tavares took the puck hard to the net as the Maple Leafs topped the Boston Bruins 2-1 to avoid elimination in Game 5 of their firstround playoff series.
“You black out a little bit,” said Knies, who joined Toronto last spring out of U.S. college hockey before getting injured in the second round. “I was just so excited and so happy.
“What brought me more joy was to see the faces of my teammates and how much they wanted to keep playing.”
Tavares blew past Bruins defenceman Matt Grzelcyk – a healthy scratch the last two games and in the action with Brandon Carlo out injured to start OT – before shovelling a shot on target that popped out front for Knies to bury his second goal of the playoffs.
“He’s been really building this series,” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of the 21-year-old. “An incredible effort by John Tavares, but fitting because (Knies) has worked really hard. It’s terrific.”
Jake McCabe had the other goal for Toronto. Joseph Woll, who got the start ahead of llya Samsonov, made 27 saves. Game 6 goes tonight (Thursday) in Toronto. Game 7, if necessary, would be back at TD Garden on Saturday.
“Just gonna keep fighting,” Tavares said. “Keep believing, keep trusting each other, keep working to play again.”
Trent Frederic replied for Boston, which is still in the driver’s seat in the best-of-seven series up 3-2, but will have the memories of last spring’s blown 3-1 lead against the Florida Panthers in the opening round still fresh in their minds.
“You want to make them be uncomfortable,” Keefe said. “You want to make them have to pack up and head up to Toronto.”
Jeremy Swayman stopped 31 shots for the Bruins
“We weren’t good enough – just simple as that,” Boston head coach Jim Montgomery said. “They took it to us. We weren’t ready to match their desperation.”
The Leafs were minus star centre Auston Matthews after an illness forced him from Toronto’s 3-1 loss in Game 4. The 26-year-old sniper, who led the NHL with 69 goals in the regular season, made a cameo at Tuesday’s optional morning skate, but was unable to suit up.
Max Domi stepped into the No. 1 centre role between Mitch Marner and Tyler Bertuzzi – a line that tilted the ice early and kept up its strong play all night.
“Nice to see the boys get rewarded,” Domi said. “Try to flush that and get ready for the next game.”