The Toronto Maple Leafs faced a tough night on multiple fronts, suffering a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday and seeing key forward Matthew Knies exit the game with an upper-body injury. The injury occurred late in the second period when Knies delivered a hit on Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko but got the worst of it.

Knies' second-period tally stretched the Maple Leafs' lead to 3-0 in the second period. He has three goals and five points over three outings since he returned from an upper-body injury that cost him two contests.

Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on late to down the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Monday night.

According to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Matthew Knies will not return to Wednesday’s game. He appeared to have suffered an injury following a collision during a game (late in the second period) against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In other words, Pacioretty, who would become one of the game’s great scorers and power forwards, wasn’t doing what Knies is now for the Maple Leafs at the same age. The youngest Leaf most nights, Knies is on pace for 31 goals this season.