The Maple Leafs held a skill development session at Ford Performance Centre on Thursday.

Leafs winger Matthew Knies left Wednesday's game against Vegas after taking a controversial hit from Golden Knights defenceman Zach Whitecloud in the second period.

"Not bad," coach Craig Berube said when asked how Knies was feeling. "Still being evaluated and looked at, but actually feeling okay today, which is good news."

Referees Eric Furlatt and Kendrick Nicholson initially called a major on Whitecloud, but rescinded the penalty after reviewing the play in conjunction with NHL Hockey Operations.

"I don't think it's a good call," said Leafs defenceman Simon Benoit, who immediately confronted Whitecloud after the neutral-zone check. "His feet were off the ice when he hit Kniesy right to the head, so I had to go in there and just protect my teammate. I think it was just not a good hit."

The Leafs actually ended up shorthanded as a result of the play with Benoit getting a double minor for roughing and Whitecloud only getting a minor for roughing. Toronto killed off the penalty and used the moment as motivation in what ended up being a 3-0 win.

"It definitely sparks some energy," said goalie Joseph Woll. "Sometimes anger and those things can be used to drive you through a game."

Woll is very close with Knies and admitted to being "pretty upset" watching the 22-year-old leave the ice. Woll stopped all 31 Knights shots to record his second career NHL shutout.

"I was pretty pissed after it," Woll said. "I tried to harness that as well as I could."

While teammates steamed, Berube understood the decision by the officials.

"It's a hockey hit," the 58-year-old bench boss said. "It's a clean hit. I think it's a tough play. I mean, he's in a vulnerable position a little bit. The guy was [chasing] him from behind. It's a tough play. It is. But it's hockey. I mean, that's part of the game."

The Department of Player Safety issued a video on Thursday explaining why there was no call on Whitecloud.

"Whitecloud hits through the body of Knies," the video states. "While there is inarguably head contact here, we see Knies' entire body stopped in its tracks and driven backwards simultaneously with his head in a way that indicates the body absorbed the force of this check. If we determine the head is not the main point of contact, the review ends there and the hit is considered legal within the framework of the rule."

Knies is third on the team with eight goals, including seven at even strength. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound forward has been lining up in the top six all season and was recently promoted to the top power-play unit. He also logs time on a penalty kill unit, which ranks seventh in the league.

"He needs to get healthy," said Berube. "We need him back as quickly as possible."

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With Knies out, the Leafs are now down seven regular forwards. Auston Matthews (upper body), Max Domi (lower body), Max Pacioretty (lower body), Calle Jarnkrok (groin and sports hernia surgery) and David Kampf (lower body) are all hurt while Ryan Reaves just served the first game of a five-game suspension.

Matthews recently returned from Germany where he met with a doctor he's worked with in the past.

"Everything went well," Berube said. "Like, he's actually improving and in a real good spot right now going forward. So, we're very happy with that."

Matthews hasn't played since Nov. 3. He hasn't skated since Nov. 10. When will he get back on the ice?

"I still don't know that," Berube said. "Maybe this weekend."

Matthews is set to miss an eighth straight game on Sunday when the........

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