You are using the small game sample size to assert your position that Knies can't perform in the playoffs, while willingly dismissing what data there is to look at of the same small sample size that you feel can't make a case for the opposite of your view, as it doesn't fit your narrative.
Of the 2 positions, yours appears to be the weakest because it's based solely on your opinion. You make absolutely no reference to the eye test, which actually does show him as having held his own, nor the analytic data that also shows that he is.
You assert that Knies has yet to play any meaningful games. Again you are wrong, along with your assertion he's played in 2 games, while it's been 3 games. The reasonable conclusion here for you being wrong (giving you the benefit of the doubt) on both points is that you missed the Tampa Bay Lightning game, which was, in fact, highly contested and competitive. For all intents and purposes, it was a playoff caliber game, with both teams dressing strong lineups and no one going through the motions. In that game, Knies was effective, where he was tied for 2nd with 3 SOG's, and had the primary assist on the game winning goal on a very good shot on net that O'Rielly stuffed in the rebound.
What does make your position pass the eye test is that it is consistent with what you typically post in here, which is consistently in the negative and not anything that I typically pay any attention to.
Simply put, 3 games is a very small sample size and no one knows how ANY of our players are going to respond, but based on when Knies has drawn in, he merits consideration to draw on and that he will contribute until he shows otherwise, just like everyone else.
Have a great day!
Go Leafs Go!
