Matthew Knies Makes Immediate Impact in Blue Jackets Debut

Matthew Knies didn’t need much time to make Columbus feel like home.

Just days after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Knies delivered a statement performance in his Columbus Blue Jackets debut Thursday night, recording two goals and an assist in a 6-3 season-opening victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena. (Reuters)

It was about as strong of a first impression as Columbus could have hoped for.

Knies scored his first goal as a Blue Jacket late in the opening period, finding space in the slot and beating Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give Columbus a 2-1 lead. He wasn’t finished. Knies later added another goal and an assist, finishing his first night in Columbus with three points. (NHL)

The performance came only days after Columbus acquired the 23-year-old winger in a six-player trade with Toronto. The Blue Jackets sent Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins to the Maple Leafs while receiving Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick. (NHL)

Columbus immediately placed Knies in a significant role alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson on the top line, giving the Blue Jackets an intriguing combination of size, skill and youth. (NHL)

On Thursday night, that opportunity quickly turned into production.

Knies looked comfortable attacking the middle of the ice, using the size and physical style that made him such an effective player in Toronto. More importantly for Columbus, he didn’t look like a player trying to find his place with a new team. He looked involved from the start.

The rest of the Blue Jackets followed.

Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan and Mathieu Olivier also scored, while Charlie Coyle recorded three assists and Zach Werenski added two. Jet Greaves made 23 saves as Columbus earned its first season-opening victory in five years. (NHL)

One game won’t define a trade of this magnitude. Columbus gave up an established scorer in Marchenko to bring Knies into its young core, and both organizations will have years to evaluate how the deal ultimately plays out.

But for Knies, there may not have been a better way to introduce himself.

New sweater. New linemates. New city.

Two goals, three points and a Blue Jackets win.

For one night, at least, Matthew Knies looked right at home in Columbus.