Knies is killing matthews-marner line just like when he was tried there in the playoffs. He's not ready to go up against the leagues top defences
Wait, wasn't Bertuzzi doing the same earlier? And wasn't Knies fantastic for that line last week?
Ebbs and flows. Marner and Matthews are pretty difficult to play with. They only pass to one another and don't really like the forechecking/cycle/puck-retrieval/down-low game. Knies needs to play like Hyman and basically go to the net and get garbage - but he's more skilled and needs to adjust.
You can see why Bertuzzi works well with Tavares though, because he plays that style well. Tavares is excellent at adjusting to his linemate styles and he plays a very simple game. He's not a high-skill, fancy, highlight reel player but players seem to hit career highs when playing on his line.
I'm surprised Keefe hasn't switched the lines but then again, Auston & MItch have a five-point-night potential all the time. When they get hot (more often than not) they can produce with anyone on the left wing.
I like Knies there. He'll adjust. He's a very skilled player, very smart, strong, he's so young and it will take him time. If he's not hurting the line defensively, I wouldn't worry. He's best suited to top six than bottom six. And that Robertson-Domi-Jarnkrok line looks pretty good!
Marner's been awful this year - yet, he's so gifted offensively that he'll always rack up huge points and capable of that one play to make a difference. When he gets hot, and he will, the sentiment around him will change quickly.