Auston Matthews makes his feelings known after Matthew Knies scores hat-trick in dominating win over Boston Bruins

Auston Matthews was full of praise for rookie Matthew Knies after the young forward scored a hat trick in the Toronto Maple Leafs' dominating 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena.

Knies stole the show with three goals and two assists while Matthews marked his return from injury with a goal and two assists.

The Maple Leafs took a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Jake McCabe and Knies. However, the Bruins responded with goals from Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic to bring the game to a 2-2 tie in the second.

Toronto responded in the third to re-take the lead with Knies’ second goal of the night, but Pastrnak again tied the game within 34 seconds. Knies then scored his hat trick goal at 5:28.

"I'm happy for him, he played awesome and got rewarded for just a great game all around at both ends of the ice," Matthews said (per Sportsnet). "I think tonight he showed the potential he has and he is just going to continue to get better. He's a big part of our team."

Marner scored an empty-net goal with 2:05 left to make it 5-3 for Toronto before Pastrnak replied for the Bruins with his second goal of the night. Matthews also got an empty-net goal at the final minute.

“It felt incredible,” Matthew Knies said on scoring hat-trick. “I felt the luck back on my side and that was a good game, a good overall effort from all of us in here. It was a good game.”

Knies, who signed a 3-year, $2,775,000 (expiring) contract, has 14 goals and 10 assists in 38 games this season.

Leafs HC Craig Berube on Matthew Knies's hat trick against Bruins

Leafs head coach Craig Berube praised Matthew Knies's direct approach, particularly how he challenged Boston's defense with his combination of speed and power. Berube's earlier calls for "reckless" play seemed to resonate with the rookie.

"That was a whole year for me," Berube quipped, clearly impressed by the young winger's explosive showing.

“He was a great player tonight. Just challenging their D with his speed. Direct shooting. I like that he just attacked and shot and wasn’t always looking for the other guys...I think offensively, he’s obviously come out of his shell.” Berube added.

The Leafs will look to maintain this momentum as they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.