The Toronto Maple Leafs are searching for their killer instinct. Matthew Knies thinks the same and explained it recently.
After Saturday’s 3-2 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks, coach Craig Berube insisted on the lack of execution, while Knies, 23, pointed out the lack of closing in third periods to not let the opponent breathe.
“I think we just gotta find a way to just step on ’em and not let ’em breathe when it comes to the third period,” he said after practice on Monday
“I think we let ’em come back in the game, and obviously that’s happened to us a few times here. So we’re trying to figure out how to finish out a game right now. I think we have the ability to do that, we just have to execute a few things, and I think we’ll be good.”
Knies has a good point and knows what he is talking about, since he has a key role in the endings of games.
The 23-year-old forward has good wall play and net-front work, in addition to valuable attributes for protecting advantages, winning duels, and securing defensive zone exits under pressure. His recent time on ice is around 20-23 minutes, which speaks to the coaching staff’s confidence in heavy situations.
That said, Knies can be even more efficient, especially if he assumes a more specific role in those moments of the game. The winger could work on reducing late east-west passes, opting for chip-out and shot support for clean exits under pressure.
He should also adjust his support route to give a passing line to the D for the first pass and practice reverse timing behind the net to avoid weak rimes that remain in the zone. Knies could present his stick at an angle to force a clearance to the strong side and protect the slot seam when the opponent’s weak winger cuts inside.
Assuming these tactical adjustments, the forward could become the team’s ‘closer’. Berube must seek less chaos and more repeatable habits. Knies could be the key to developing that set of closing protocols that he himself recognized they need.
The Minnesota Wild (8-7-4) is back on home ice tonight to host the Vegas Golden Knights (8-4-5). The Wild will be without forward Vladimir Tarasenko for the second straight game.
Tarasenko, 33, has two goals and ten points in 18 games this year for the Wild. He missed Saturday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury and will not play again on Sunday.
Wild head coach John Hynes said after the game that Tarasenko’s status will be day-to-day.