Unexpected Maple Leafs Line Emerges as a Playoff No-Brainer

Through the course of the 2024-25 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have endured a lot of hardships due to injury, questions about the future of their team and certain star players, and wondering if this year is going to end up being the one that puts them in the Stanley Cup Finals, or another swift and disappointing exit.

A lot of the chatter recently though is who exactly the team should employ in their lineup when it comes to the first round and with a Battle of Ontario series expected to bring not only the fireworks, but a lot of gritty, tough, and dirty work that is going to make or break the series, depending on who can trudge through the trenches.

So it may have taken until the last couple of games of the season, but one line is looking like they could not only be dangerous to the Senators playoff chances, but the X-factor that pushes Toronto into a deep playoff run.

The trio of Scott Laughton, Steven Lorentz, and Calle Jarnkrok put in a performance last night, not only offensively, but were able to keep the Sabres at bay all night. It was a mix of scoring potential, defense, energy, toughness and size that made the perfect recipe for success.

It seems that the pair are really starting to gel, with Lorentz offering Laughton a celebratory smooch on the helmet after his outstanding playmaking led to Lorentz's eighth goal of the season.

Jarnkrok added an assist and while he wasn't outstanding, put in a solid enough game that not only gives him a more focused role on the bottom six, but also keeps him away from the top part of the lineup, where he will be a detriment compared to others.

Not to mention Laughton added three hits and three blocks, meanwhile Lorentz added three hits of his own. The line not only showed up, but showed out, and gives Craig Berube a massive boost of confidence heading into the first round, especially with questions about returning players' spots in the lineup.

But if this is the type of performances we can expect out of the three going forward, there's no doubt they are going to factor in huge when it comes to Toronto's success.

Whether it be offensively, defensively, or a mixture of both; the new fourth line could be the reason Toronto fights deep into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.