Maple Leafs’ Knies and Giordano participate in optional skate after injuries

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies and Mark Giordano both participated in an optional skate on Saturday morning, indicating that they are likely to play in Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Knies was hit by a puck on his leg during Thursday’s loss but managed to return to the game and logged 11:46 of ice time. The rookie has recorded two points in the four games he has appeared in this series. Giordano, on the other hand, was injured after a late hit by Pat Maroon but later returned to the game. The defenseman has played in 78 games for the Leafs this season, scoring four goals and totaling 24 points. Justin Holl participated in the optional skate, while Timothy Liljegren did not. Toronto leads the series 3-2 and Game 6 will go down in Tampa Bay on Saturday night. It has been nearly two decades since the team advanced beyond the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.