Matthew Knies has a big fan in Anthony Stolarz.
And no, we’re not trying to make a play on the physical nature of the 6-foot-6, 243-pound Stolarz.
There’s a reason why the Maple Leafs goaltender thinks so highly of his 22-year-old teammate.
“He’s always asking questions, which for a young guy is huge,” Stolarz said. “Asking how he can make himself bigger (in front of the net), what to do in certain situations. It has been good that he has felt comfortable to ask questions.”
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If Knies needed any proof just how effective he can be as a net-front presence, he got it in the Leafs 4-0 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.
After providing a screen on Morgan Rielly’s power-play goal in the second period, Knies scored a goal with the man advantage in the third when he deflected William Nylander’s shot past Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman.
“I get to see it in practice,” Stolarz said. “I’m one of the taller goalies in the league. I’m just trying to look around him and it’s really difficult, so I can only imagine how it is for the smaller (goalies).”
There’s no doubt Knies has stepped it up in his second full season in the National Hockey League. With seven goals in 14 games, the 6-foot-3, 227-pound winger is on a pace for 41. Even if that falls off a bit, it’s rather obvious he will improve on his rookie season when he had 15 goals in 80 games.
Knies’ growing realization of what impact he can have with his size is providing him with more space.
“His size and his strength is rare for someone his age and experience,” John Tavares said. “I think he catches a lot of veterans and guys who have been around the league off-guard for how strong and how thick he is, how difficult he is to move.”
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