Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Knies has become one of the NHL’s best power forwards, and his path to the Leafs is fascinating.  There must be something in the water in Phoenix because Knies and Auston Matthews are both from there and have become fan favourites.

Matthew Knies is the definition of a playoff performer with the Toronto Maple Leafs. At 22 years old, Knies is already making massive blocks, scoring crucial goals — including his netfront power play marker in the third period — and playing a team-high 22:19 in Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators.