NHL Department Of Player Safety Officially Makes Decision On Matthew Knies' Suspension Fate
The NHL Player Safety Department has decided to not hand out any discipline to Toronto's Matthew Knies for his hit on Tuesday night.
The Maple Leafs defeated the New Jersey Devils in overtime on Tuesday night after the heroics of both Anthony Stolarz and captain Auston Matthews, who sealed the deal in the extra frame.
However, Toronto might have ended up with a bit of discipline courtesy of the NHL Player Safety Department as they took a look at Matthew Knies' hit on defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic.
Matthew Knies Does Not Get Extra Punishment
Well the NHL has handed out their verdict regarding the potential discipline of Knies and they've decided that the Maple Leafs power forward did not warrant any extra punishment.
It's a good sign that Toronto won't have to deal with a fine or potential suspension for their young star, and with him just recently returning, any games lost would be a setback.
Knies did receive punishment in the game, getting a two-minute minor for the hit. Toronto has had to deal with some questionable officiating this season, and recent statistics show that the league might be a bit biased toward them.
Toronto can't afford to lose Knies for any reason either, as he's on pace to smash his career high of 15 goals and already has 10 goals and 16 points this season.
He's also fourth on the team in hits, showing he has every tool necessary to succeed under Craig Berube.
With how the league sometimes comes down harder on Toronto, something President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan alluded to, it's a good sign to see that Knies has avoided any disaster.
Toronto and Knies will get a chance to build on their overtime win when they take on the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night as they look to continue their fight through a tough December schedule, though they'll get some reinforcements back soon.
