Indeed, the Maple Leafs came into this contest having lost six consecutive Game 7s, including five with Matthews, Marner, forward William Nylander and defenseman Morgan Rielly in the lineup. This was their chance to finally change the narrative.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was injured late in Game 6 of the team's second-round playoff series with the Florida Panthers. Knies was in and out of the lineup for Toronto, and there had been some concern over his status for Game 7.

Let's look at the facts. Since 2018, the Maple Leafs' longest tenured players — Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Morgan Rielly — have fallen completely flat in their career in Game 7, scoring three goals between them in six games.

Florida's Brad Marchand will appear in his 13th career Game 7, which will be most among active players. He's the fifth all-time to hit that benchmark, joining Scott Stevens (13), Patrick Roy (13) and his former Bruins teammates Patrice Bergeron (14) and Zdeno Chara (14).

Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews missed Sunday's morning skate ahead of Game 4 against the Panthers, leaving his status in doubt.

Here's a look at how Auston Matthews has performed in the playoffs, as well as in elimination games, throughout his career.

We don’t know right now ... he’s dealing with something,” coach Craig Berube said of Knies’ injury and his status for Game 7 on Sunday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs stayed alive with a 2-0 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 6 on Friday night, but the status of forward Matthew Knies remains uncertain heading into the decisive Game 7. Knies took a reverse hit from Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola late in the first period and appeared in discomfort afterward.