'That Was A Whole Year For Me': Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies' Busts Out Of Slump With First NHL Hat Trick In Win Over Bruins

Matthew Knies got back on track with the Toronto Maple Leafs in their 6-4 win on Saturday night over the Boston Bruins.

It was an eventful evening for the 22-year-old forward. After scoring goals at the beginning of the second and third periods, Knies finished off the hat trick in style after Auston Matthews dug the puck out from behind Boston's net.

It was the first three-goal and five-point game of his young career.

"That was a whole year for me," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said with a smile post-game.

"I thought he was a great player tonight. Just challenging [Boston's defense] with his speed, direct shooting. I like that he just attacked and shot and wasn't always looking for the other guys. He was playing his game. Very effective. The whole line was really good."

Along with Knies' five-point night, Mitch Marner had five points, and Auston Matthews, in his return to the Maple Leafs lineup, had a goal and two assists. The line combined for 13 points in Toronto's 6-4 win against the Bruins.

After not registering a point in five straight games, Knies gets back on track with his scoring and is up to 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points in 38 games this season. His second-period tally was his first goal since Dec. 14 against the Red Wings.

"I think there was a little bit missing [in my game]. Obviously, I just don't think I was as direct, as physical, kind of lacked shooting in my game," Knies said on Saturday evening.

"But, I think there was some bounces that just kind of didn't go my way. But yeah, you kind of move past it and that's hockey and fortunately it's going my way now and I just want to keep that."

His second goal of the game, putting Toronto up 3-2 over the Bruins in the third period, was a thing of beauty. He beat Jeremy Swayman with a behind-the-back shot after evading Brandon Carlo to get to the net.

"Yeah, it kind of slipped to my feet and I just wanted to get it on net and fortunately it went in for me," Knies said.

Knies' five points against Boston puts him into fifth place in team scoring, behind Matthews, Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares. Following the game, Berube mentioned how much the young forward has grown this season, on both sides of the puck.

"He does a great job penalty-killing for us. He made a great play at the end of the game where they tried a backdoor play on us with the goalie out, bringing it to the net. And that's just great read by him and hockey sense to drop down that low and take that backdoor play, or that guy scores," the head coach said.

"I mean, his growth as a player is all around, I would say. But, I think offensively, he's obviously, come out of his shell, I would say, with scoring. But, on the other side of things, he's become a real good 200-foot player."

Knies could've had a fourth goal, however, Marner decided to put it into the empty net. It was the smarter choice since Knies had David Pastrnak on his tail. After scoring, Marner told Knies he tried to find him before putting it in himself.

"Yeah, he said he was looking for me, but obviously you gotta seal the game there," Knies said. "He can't let him back into it. So he made the right choice there."

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