Leafs forward Knies has concussion, unlikely to return in second-round series

Toronto forward Matthew Knies has been ruled out of the Maple Leafs’ next two playoff games with a concussion and is unlikely to return during their second-round series, head coach Sheldon Keefe said Friday.

The 20-year-old forward sustained the injury in Thursday night’s 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the series.

Knies was cross-checked into the boards in the first period by Florida’s Sam Bennett, who followed up by grabbing the Leafs winger by the head/neck area and slamming him backwards onto the ice behind the Panthers’ goal.

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Bennett was not penalized on the play. Knies did not return to the game after the first intermission.

Toronto is down 2-0 with the series heading back to Florida for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Wednesday.

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