[Masters] Craig Berube confirms he’s sticking with Joseph Woll in net tonight Matthew Knies good to go as he continues to play through a lingering lower-body issue
January 21, 2026
[Masters] Craig Berube confirms he’s sticking with Joseph Woll in net tonight Matthew Knies good to go as he continues to play through a lingering lower-body issue
19 comments
– Good to go
– Continues playing through injury
Which one is it?
Woll has posted roughly an .825 save percentage in his last two starts, and is notably worse when playing on little rest. I don’t think this makes sense at all.
My initial reaction was that he should save Woll for Friday against Vegas, but in the grand scheme of things a win against a divisional rival is more important than a win against Vegas.
I believe in Woll.
Knies has 1 goal in 10 games in January. He had 32 hits in 14 games in December. He has 10 hits in 10 games in January. I get that this season is going to come down to who gets to overtime the most down the stretch but I feel like the Leafs are being stupid with Knies. Even getting the 3 days off at Christmas Knies put up 4G and had 9 hits in 3 games after the break. Then his play slipped again. He’ll likely get a good chance to rest up over the Olympic break but why not sit him for a game or two here and get better efforts out of him. That Tavares-Knies-Maccelli line doesn’t look good.
Can’t say I agree with that, also would have pulled him last game.
Hildeby should have gotten the start and I’m sure Quillan could’ve been as effective as a not 100% healthy Knies.
Yeah we kinda noticed Kniesy is not 100%. Olympic break couldn’t come at a better time.
Also why stick to Woll when Hildeby has proven to be equally good (if not better in some instances?). Maybe Woll performance went down because of fatigue and we all know that fatigue could lead to injury. I’m sure I don’t see the whole picture, but it sounds a bit risky to me.
I know this probably isn’t simple in reality, but it seems like the entire league has just ignored the concept of load management with this compressed schedule.
Bet if a team had taken a season-long approach of resting players, even top ones, they’d hit the playoffs with a much healthier roster for the final push.
Gonna be a bunch of skeletons at this rate.
I dont get either of these decisions but im sure Berube has more info than me but id give Hildeby this game and sit Knies. Quillan brings a similar element to knies in that hes no offensive slouch and he hits.
every time we think we’re setting Woller up for failure with his usage, he comes up with a big game
It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the one insisting to play tonight
From Mark Masters on Twitter: Matthew Knies on dealing with lingering injury: “It’s one of those that the more you play, the more wear & tear on it, it’s not going to get better… Yeah, it’s been, honestly, shitty, but I gotta do my best to prepare as well as I can.”
**the more you play, the more wear & tear on it, it’s not going to get better**. Holy shit, sit the guy a few games.
Not a fan of either these decisions. They’re approaching it with that logic of, every game is crucial now so we have go with our guys. Even though the guys are hurt/off and resting them would be better.
Hmm not sure about either of these decisions. I have faith in Woll but he could use a game off after the last few, and Knies is pretty much saying he shouldn’t be playing on this injury. Sometimes the medical team has to step in and save guys from themselves. We don’t want this getting worse and suddenly he’s out long term.
can we stop playing our players when they’re injured ? like seriously
Meanwhile Willy is saving his lower body injury for marriage
This feels like when I’m playing franchise mode and I start losing so I completely disregard chemistry and injuries and play the highest overall lineup.
……. Come again?
Look I love Woll but he needs a reset, let him sit for a game and get payback on Vegas
And why is Knies playing through injury we need him 100% against Tampa
19 comments
– Good to go
– Continues playing through injury
Which one is it?
Woll has posted roughly an .825 save percentage in his last two starts, and is notably worse when playing on little rest. I don’t think this makes sense at all.
My initial reaction was that he should save Woll for Friday against Vegas, but in the grand scheme of things a win against a divisional rival is more important than a win against Vegas.
I believe in Woll.
Knies has 1 goal in 10 games in January. He had 32 hits in 14 games in December. He has 10 hits in 10 games in January. I get that this season is going to come down to who gets to overtime the most down the stretch but I feel like the Leafs are being stupid with Knies. Even getting the 3 days off at Christmas Knies put up 4G and had 9 hits in 3 games after the break. Then his play slipped again. He’ll likely get a good chance to rest up over the Olympic break but why not sit him for a game or two here and get better efforts out of him. That Tavares-Knies-Maccelli line doesn’t look good.
Can’t say I agree with that, also would have pulled him last game.
Hildeby should have gotten the start and I’m sure Quillan could’ve been as effective as a not 100% healthy Knies.
Yeah we kinda noticed Kniesy is not 100%. Olympic break couldn’t come at a better time.
Also why stick to Woll when Hildeby has proven to be equally good (if not better in some instances?). Maybe Woll performance went down because of fatigue and we all know that fatigue could lead to injury. I’m sure I don’t see the whole picture, but it sounds a bit risky to me.
I know this probably isn’t simple in reality, but it seems like the entire league has just ignored the concept of load management with this compressed schedule.
Bet if a team had taken a season-long approach of resting players, even top ones, they’d hit the playoffs with a much healthier roster for the final push.
Gonna be a bunch of skeletons at this rate.
I dont get either of these decisions but im sure Berube has more info than me but id give Hildeby this game and sit Knies. Quillan brings a similar element to knies in that hes no offensive slouch and he hits.
every time we think we’re setting Woller up for failure with his usage, he comes up with a big game
It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the one insisting to play tonight
From Mark Masters on Twitter: Matthew Knies on dealing with lingering injury: “It’s one of those that the more you play, the more wear & tear on it, it’s not going to get better… Yeah, it’s been, honestly, shitty, but I gotta do my best to prepare as well as I can.”
**the more you play, the more wear & tear on it, it’s not going to get better**. Holy shit, sit the guy a few games.
Not a fan of either these decisions. They’re approaching it with that logic of, every game is crucial now so we have go with our guys. Even though the guys are hurt/off and resting them would be better.
Hmm not sure about either of these decisions. I have faith in Woll but he could use a game off after the last few, and Knies is pretty much saying he shouldn’t be playing on this injury. Sometimes the medical team has to step in and save guys from themselves. We don’t want this getting worse and suddenly he’s out long term.
can we stop playing our players when they’re injured ? like seriously
Meanwhile Willy is saving his lower body injury for marriage
This feels like when I’m playing franchise mode and I start losing so I completely disregard chemistry and injuries and play the highest overall lineup.
……. Come again?
Look I love Woll but he needs a reset, let him sit for a game and get payback on Vegas
And why is Knies playing through injury we need him 100% against Tampa
Sounds very logical…