Matthew Knies suffered an injury when he was knocked out by Vegas Golden Knights' Zach Whitecloud, and now the Leafs have provided a status update for him. Saying it has been a rather rough couple of weeks or so for the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Toronto Maple Leafs</a> would be putting it rather lightly with news of three key injuries to Auston Matthews, Max Domi, and Matthew Knies. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BigHeadHcky/status/1860085958173221119'> </a></blockquote></div> Of course, the biggest scare came to Knies, the one who <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/suspension-highly-possible-after-zach-whitecloud-hits-matthew-knies-in-head-similarly-to-ryan-reaves' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>went down with a possible concussion scare against the Vegas Golden Knights</a>. Though details are hush on Knies' injury, some good news is on the horizon it seems: Knies was spotted skating Sunday, courtesy of TSN's Mark Masters: Of course, this is an encouraging sign for the young forward and his teammates. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1860693564411269492'> </a></blockquote></div> More to the point, it would mean something positive is coming back in the other direction when Knies is on the ice. Having been one of the high points this season for Toronto, he has netted eight goals thus far and is on pace to eclipse the 15 he scored last year. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BigHeadLeafs_/status/1858583592542011578'> </a></blockquote></div> Big things are said about his poise under pressure and his advanced play when it comes to defense, placing him as a big game-changer in the lineup for the Leafs. Not taking a huge step back in this case helps build his confidence and performance. The good news is that this recovery keeps his chances alive for Team USA in the upcoming <a href='https://www.nhl.com/events/2025-4-nations-face-off' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>4 Nations Face-Off</a>, which is no small feat considering the same impressive form through just his second full NHL season has him in good position for a squad berth. As David Alter at 'The Hockey News' noted, it wasn't all good news as Knies will still miss the next couple of games <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-forward-matthew-knies-participates-in-morning-skate/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>despite the fact that he was seen on the ice today</a>. He's been on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 20, so he's not eligible to return until <a href='https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-tor/2024/11/30/2024020378' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Saturday's game against Tampa Bay</a>. The Leafs hope the return can provide a boost as they head into an ugly December schedule. The Leafs do have some lesser opponents moving forward in Nashville, Chicago, and Pittsburgh, for example, but every game's a chance to build momentum. He is going to be a big contributor when back healthy and ready to go into the critical stretch of this season.