In a critical Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round, the Toronto Maple Leafs found unexpected heroes in Matthew Knies and Joseph Woll, who stepped up in the absence of star center Auston Matthews. The game, held at TD Garden, saw the Maple Leafs facing elimination, trailing the Boston Bruins 3-1 in the series.
Matthews, sidelined after a brief appearance at the morning skate, watched as 21-year-old forward Knies and 25-year-old goalie Woll carried the team to a narrow 2-1 victory. Woll, making just his third NHL postseason start, secured 27 saves, including crucial stops during intense scrambles near his crease. Meanwhile, Knies delivered the game-winning goal in overtime at 2:26, cutting the Bruins’ series lead to 3-2 and forcing a Game 6 back in Toronto.
Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe couldn’t hide his satisfaction as he watched the young duo field questions post-game. He expressed pride in their significant impact, emphasizing the resilience and determination they brought to the ice. With the series now extended, Toronto’s unexpected standouts have not only given their team a fighting chance but also captured the heart of their coach and fans alike.
As the Maple Leafs prepare for Game 6, the focus shifts to whether this underdog spirit can inspire another performance strong enough to stave off elimination once more. With or without Matthews, Toronto has shown they are not ready to end their season just yet.
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