Watch: Maple Leafs stay alive thanks to OT winner by Knies

Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Matthew Knies (23) scores the game winning goal past Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during overtime in Game 5 of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Maple Leafs stay alive thanks to OT winner by Matthew Knies

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 4/30/24

There was every reason to give up on the Toronto Maple Leafs going into Game 5 against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

They were down 3-1 in the series and facing elimination. Boston had outplayed them in the series. They had years of playoff failures weighing on then.

Even worse, their best player, Auston Matthews was not available.

None of those reasons ended up mattering as the Maple Leafs fought off elimination and sent the series back to Toronto for Game 6.

Matthew Knies ended up being the hero with the game winning goal to lift Toronto to a 2-1 win.

Have a look:

MATTHEW KNIES HOW DO YOU DO!!!! pic.twitter.com/tzb4wXChdH
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 1, 2024

In recent postseasons this was the type of game that would have resulted in a quiet and disappointing exit from the playoffs. But for at least one game they were able to change the narrative and their story and snatch victory when it seemed to be least likely.

If they do not win the next two games, however, no one will remember it and this game will just be a footnote on another lost season. But they had to win one before they could win those, and they got it on Tuesday night.

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