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Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with William Nylander #88 after scoring the game winning goal against the Boston Bruins to win the game 2-1 in overtime of Game Five of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Block Party, Knies & Stolarz

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 9:55 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs delivered a gutsy 4-3 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, bouncing back just 24 hours after a flat 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. The game had everything you’d want from a playoff tune-up—physicality, tension, goaltending drama, and a star performance from Matthew Knies. He now sits with 29 goals on the season. Who would have thought he could hit the 30-goal mark when the season began?

Item One: Maple Leafs’ Block Party Puts Bodies in Harm’s Way

You don’t often win games when you’re outshot 40-24, but the Maple Leafs did just that – thanks mainly to a season-high 33 blocked shots. That stat doesn’t just show a willingness to defend; it screams playoff urgency. From Morgan Rielly’s team-leading seven blocks to Simon Benoit taking multiple one-timers to the legs on the penalty kill, Toronto looked like a team finally buying in defensively.

Analysts often say high block totals mean you spend too much time in your zone. That’s partially true, but if you’re there, you’d better commit to getting in lanes and sacrificing the body. That’s precisely what Toronto did. After a lifeless game against Florida, last night’s game was a clear response.

Item Two: Knies Calls Team Out, Then Backs It Up

Matthew Knies didn’t mince words after the Florida loss, calling the team “a little bit soft” and saying they lacked energy and communication. Then, less than 24 hours later, he put up a hat trick—including the overtime winner—against a key division rival. That’s how you back up bold words.

Knies has 10 goals in nine career games against Tampa and is quickly becoming a Lightning killer. Beyond the goals, he brought a spark: mixing it up physically, making confident plays with the puck, and showing real maturity in his postgame comments. Skating on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the trio looked electric all night, recording three points each and feeding off one another’s energy.

“We played a great game today… It was a good and important one,” said Knies in a postgame interview. Important might be an understatement.

Item Three: In the Goaltending Battle, Stolarz Steps Up Again

With Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz healthy, Toronto has a luxury most playoff teams envy: two goaltenders capable of winning games. But if head coach Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs are leaning toward one over the other, Stolarz is making a strong case. The former Panthers’ goalie has now won six straight games, including last night’s sharp performance against a dangerous Tampa Bay team.

Anthony Stolarz, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Stolarz made several key saves in the second period when the game opened up and Tampa surged. His size, calmness, experience, and Stanley Cup pedigree give him an edge. But more importantly, he gives the Maple Leafs a chance to win every night, and that’s the measure that matters most at this time of year.

During the game’s intermission, the Hockey Panel analysts agreed the team will likely use both goaltenders in the playoffs, but Stolarz looks like the guy to start Game 1 right now. Smart money suggests that it’s Stolarz’s net—until it’s not.

Item Four: Tampa Bay Wakes Up, But Maple Leafs Still Sweep the Series

The Lightning pushed back in the second period, showing flashes of the dangerous form they’ve kept in their back pocket for much of the year. But despite their best efforts, Tampa Bay was swept 4–0 in the season series by Toronto, and outscored 19–10 in those games.

In this matchup, Tampa looked sharper than in earlier meetings, but couldn’t solve Stolarz late. The Maple Leafs’ ability to weather the storm and win one-goal games continues to define their season—they’re now 24-4-1 in one-goal games, the best record in the NHL.

Maple Leafs Have a Night to Remember, and One to Build On

Despite the victory, nothing is settled in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs sit three points clear of Tampa Bay and six points clear of Florida, but all three teams have four games remaining. The Panthers, in particular, loom large. They visit Toronto next Saturday in what could be a first-round preview. The chaos remains, and the Maple Leafs still haven’t officially clinched the division.

Yet, between the team’s defensive commitment, the strong goaltending, and clutch performances from their rising stars, last night’s game was a statement win for the Maple Leafs. It wasn’t perfect—the team was outplayed in stretches—but this group showed it had grit, intensity, and pushback. Most importantly, the team responded to internal and external criticism with one of the season’s most emotionally invested games. If this previews the Maple Leafs’ playoff version, fans have reason to be encouraged.

And Knies? He didn’t just talk the talk—he backed it up in the best way possible.