The worst is confirmed for Matthew Knies

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to do without rookie forward Matthew Knies for the upcoming games in their second series against the Florida Panthers.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe has just confirmed that Knies has suffered a concussion and will consequently miss Games 3 and 4 in Florida.

His next update made things worse for Toronto: He’s “unlikely to return in the series.”

Knies was bodychecked behind the net by Florida’s Sam Bennett midway through the first period. The young player was unable to finish the game.

Bennett, who did not receive supplemental discipline for the hit, got Knies into the boards and used his right arm to drive him downward as both players fell to the ice. Knies looked dazed after the play and was slow to get to his feet.

Knies scored his first career NHL goal in Toronto’s 4-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 1 on Tuesday. He joined the Maple Leafs late in the regular season on an entry-level deal and had one assist in three games. Knies has four points in seven playoff games.

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