Knies will miss his second straight game as he continues to battle an illness. Knies has been held to just one point (0G / 1A) in his last six games, averaging 15:47 time-on-ice. On Tuesday, Knies was replaced by Noah Gregor on the top line and skated in that same spot at Thursday's morning skate.

Knies was a late scratch for Tuesday's game with the Leafs announcing his absence less than 30 minutes before puck drop. The 21-year-old rookie has six goals and five assists in 25 games with the Maple Leafs this season. His first chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Penguins.

Knies has been out since Game 2 due to a concussion and although he is improving significantly according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, he will be out again for Game 5 vs. Florida. The 20-year-old is enjoying a strong first career playoffs, picking up a goal, three assists, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through seven games prior to his injury.

Knies finished his short regular season tenure with the Maple Leafs with an assist and a +1 plus/minus through three games after posting 42 points (21G/21A) in 40 games with the University of Minnesota (NCAA) earlier this season and will make his playoff debut Thursday for Game 2. The 20-year-old rookie will be replacing Michael Bunting in the Maple Leafs' lineup, who is serving the first game of his three-game suspension.

Knies is fresh off of Saturday's NCAA National Championship game with the University of Minnesota (NCAA) and will make his NHL debut Monday vs. Florida. The 20-year-old is the Maple Leafs' 2021 second-round pick (57th overall) and had 21 goals and 21 assists, in 40 games with the University of Minnesota.