The hat trick by Matthew Knies helps the Toronto Maple Leafs win in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning

This was the best kind of war for the Montreal Maple Leafs. The fight was indeed worth it, for the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown that they are able to really bury goals in their thrilling, nail-biting, sometimes frustrating night with a 4-3 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The focus was on Matthew Knies as the perfect moment in the first career NHL hat trick pushed the Maple Leafs further ahead in an Atlantic Division race while sending a strong exit with four more games left in the regular season.


Matthew Knies, a Toronto rookie, is brilliant and poured on a hat trick with the game-winner in overtime. An excellent pass from Auston Matthews found Knies at the backdoor, where he calmly deposited it into an empty net. His confidence and his awareness on the ice are constantly improving, with teammates and fans beginning to notice his growing influence.
Hence, the pillars of the Leafs' offense, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, led Thursday's victory. Marner opened the scoring early in the contest and then had two assists; Matthews, adorned with the 'C' of captain, assisted on three goals — one being the series-clinching goal scored in OT. Team Leafs had a very obvious chemistry with one another in transition and in tight-scoring areas.

Even with the victory, Toronto faced some push-back from the Lightning. After getting out to a 2-0 lead, they let Tampa Bay back into the game with goals from Nick Perbix, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Victor Hedman. Yet, Anthony Stolarz's shining moments between the pipes- especially the mighty breakaway save in overtime- kept the Leafs in firm control.
The comeback merely demonstrates the spirit possessed by the whole Three Point Lightning Division. Hedman's power-break shot tied the game in the third period, but defensive lapses at the start brutally punished his team. Coach Cooper recognized the sluggish start of his troops as a charge for the loss but fought very hard for the rest of the game.
Also Read: NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs’ budding star Matthew Knies now looming large at $9 million AAV in negotiations
The Toronto Maple Leafs were able not only to clinch two points from their overtime victory, but they also sent a clear message to all that they are ready for the postseason. Enter Matthew Knies, whose first major overture into the NHL will be promptly put aside for Jonathan Toews and the overwhelming spectacle of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Now the Leafs are literally sharpening their form for the finals as the regular season winds down.