The Toronto Maple Leafs face a crucial Game 7 on Sunday, with Matthew Knies` availability still uncertain.
Head coach Craig Berube informed reporters he had not seen Knies on Saturday and therefore lacked an update on his condition.
Knies appeared to be struggling after an awkward collision with Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola in the first period of Friday`s game.
The 23-year-old remained on the bench but played only 13:01, significantly less than his playoff average of 20:11.
Coach Berube explained his management of Knies` ice time, stating it was “Just conversations with him. Situational,” acknowledging the forward was “clearly not at his best.”
Berube elaborated: “I played him in situational play more than anything down the stretch there. If he was good to go or he wasn`t good to go, it was more just me talking to him on the bench and understanding where he was at the time.”
