Matthew Knies laughs in the face of David Pastrnak during a huge scrum

During the Toronto Maple Leafs win or go-home Game 5 an unexpected player stepped up and was a huge x-factor in the team's win. Rookie Matthew Knies set the tone for the squad early and came through in the clutch when he was needed most.

Late in the second period between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins both teams were trying to find a competitive edge. At one point the intensity was cranked up to a whole new level when there was a massive shoving match between all players on the ice.

During the altercation, Maple Leafs rookie Matthew Knies can be seen flying around the ice coming to the defense of several teammates. As the scrum was being broken up Matthew Knies took one last shot at Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak by talking trash and laughing in his face.





This tone and intensity set by Matthew Knies would go on to set the stage for the rest of his game against the Bruins in Game 5. The game would head to overtime where Matthew Knies would end up the hero after a crucial overtime-winning goal.



Now the Toronto Maple Leafs finally have some positive momentum again thanks to the unlikely source in Matthew Knies. If Auston Matthews continues to be out for Game 6 Matthew Knies will once again be relied on to step up and save the Maple Leafs season.