The NHL trade rumor mill is buzzing with discussions involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, and Carolina Hurricanes, primarily revolving around star forward Mikko Rantanen. The Hurricanes have expressed interest in acquiring Matthew Knies from the Maple Leafs in exchange, but Leafs GM Brad Treliving is hesitant to proceed without a long-term extension for Rantanen.

Meanwhile, the Kings are weighing their options but are cautious about Rantanen’s willingness to commit to a long-term deal should a trade occur. With the Maple Leafs aiming to bolster their roster, they are exploring additional options including Luke Kunin from the San Jose Sharks and Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers, though the asking prices for Laughton appear steep, demanding a first-round pick.

Matthew Knies made an immediate impact in the Toronto Maple Leafs' recent matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, engaging in a fight just four seconds into the game with Zach Whitecloud. This bout was a response to a controversial hit from November that had sidelined Knies for two games. Although the fight showcased Knies' tenacity, it did not uplift the team's morale, leading to a disappointing 5-2 loss.

Knies, who is establishing himself as a vital player for the Leafs, displayed his willingness to defend himself and his teammates. His coach, Craig Berube, praised Knies' maturity and desire for revenge, while his teammates acknowledged his proactive approach in addressing the past incident. Despite the outcome, the fight underscored Knies' character and resilience as he continues to carve out his role in the league.

Fabian Zetterlund secured a thrilling victory for the San Jose Sharks, scoring in the fourth round of a shootout to upset the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-2, after trailing by two goals in the third period. This win ended an eight-game losing streak for the Sharks, who hadn't won since January 27. Tyler Toffoli and Jack Thompson netted goals in regulation, while Alexander Wennberg contributed two assists. The Sharks' goalie, Alexandar Georgiev, made 25 saves. For Toronto, John Tavares and Matthew Knies were on the scoresheet, but their five-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt.

The Sharks' struggle has been evident this season, with a dismal record of 2-14-3 over their last 19 games before this victory. In a significant moment, Zetterlund's goal in the shootout followed a missed opportunity by Tavares, highlighting a pivotal shift in momentum. The game also marked a notable return for Calle Jarnkrok, who played his first game of the season after recovering from injuries. The Sharks now prepare for a road trip continuing against the Buffalo Sabres, while the Maple Leafs face the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, leveraging their superiority over a fatigued opponent fresh off a game against the Boston Bruins. With Auston Matthews leading the charge, expect him to unleash a barrage of shots, particularly given his recent form and the Penguins' struggles on defense. Notably, Matthews has hit over 3.5 shots in eight of his last 12 games, making him a compelling option for prop bets. Matthew Knies is also in a favorable position, having scored a point in seven of his last 11 games. His time on the first line alongside Matthews and Mitch Marner enhances his potential to capitalize against a Penguins team allowing the second-most goals per game. This matchup presents a golden opportunity for both Matthews and Knies to boost their stats and reward savvy fantasy managers and sports bettors.

In a thrilling match, the Toronto Maple Leafs edged past the New York Rangers with a 3-2 victory, marking their fourth consecutive win. Matthew Knies netted the decisive goal in the third period, while Anthony Stolarz showcased his skills with 33 saves. Toronto's offensive efforts were bolstered by goals from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander, the latter scoring his team-leading 34th goal. The Rangers fought back with a short-handed goal from Will Cuylle and a strike from Mika Zibanejad, yet it wasn't enough to overcome the Maple Leafs.

Stolarz’s impressive performance improved his record to 13-5-2, demonstrating the depth of Toronto's goaltending. The Leafs now lead the Atlantic Division, just ahead of the Florida Panthers, while the Rangers remain four points shy of a playoff spot. The loss snapped New York's two-game winning streak, highlighting the competitive nature of the NHL.