Matthew Knies Backs Up Controversial Comments With Huge Night Against Tampa

Following Tuesday's disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers, Matthew Knies offered a very blunt assessment of the Leafs' performance, suggesting that his team played a little too soft against the Panthers.

It was the second time in a week that Knies challenged his teammates to be better as he wants to see the Leafs build momentum heading into the playoffs.

On Wednesday, Knies backed up the controversial comments with a tremendous individual performance, registering a hat trick, including the overtime winner in what many considered the Leafs' most important game of the season.

Knies' college career ended in utter disappointment in Amalie Arena, where he and the University of Minnesota lost the national championship in his final NCAA campaign before turning pro. He has played with a chip on his shoulder against the Lightning ever since. The 22-year-old now has 10 goals and 19 points in 14 career games (including playoffs) against the Lightning.

While the Leafs struggled to control play after going up 2-0 in the first four minutes on Wednesday night, Knies may have had his best game of the season.

The former second-round pick has avoided any type of traditional sophomore slump this season and is in line for a huge payday this off-season as he heads into the Leafs' final four games of the season with 29 goals and 55 points in just 74 games.

Surely, waiting on an extension for Knies was a grave mistake by Leafs GM Brad Treliving, who could have saved the organization a lot of money by extending the young star before the season even began.