In the postseason, we often talk about the stars — and with the Toronto Maple Leafs, that conversation usually starts and ends with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares. But through two games of this First Round series against the Ottawa Senators, it’s not the “Core Four” who have stolen the spotlight.
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It’s the unsung heroes. The grinders. The secondary players. The ones who, for once, are not just supporting the stars — they’re defining the outcome. If this version of the Maple Leafs goes on a deep playoff run, it won’t just be because the top names appear. It’ll be because the entire roster found ways to contribute.
Max Domi: From the Fringe to the Finisher
Let’s begin with Max Domi. After a rollercoaster regular season that saw him bounce around the lineup, Domi is making his minutes count. In Game 2, he didn’t just show up — he scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 victory. After making an earlier defensive error, he turned around and proved that head coach Craig Berube’s trust in him wasn’t misplaced.
What made Domi’s goal so meaningful wasn’t just the finish, although his quick wrister, top shelf, bar-down was nice. It was the context. He’d been relatively quiet offensively until then, but Berube kept him on the ice in OT. That belief paid off.
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Domi’s creativity and edge give the Maple Leafs’ third line some bite. Last night, he was unafraid to challenge defenders, drive the net, or chirp his way into a matchup advantage. He’s become the kind of X-factor energy that past Toronto teams have often lacked. That irritating aspect for the opposition could become more valuable as the postseason drags on.
Simon Benoît: The Offensive Hero Nobody Saw Coming
Then there’s Simon Benoît, who has gone from “depth D-man” to legitimate playoff contributor in two games. His overtime assist in Game 2 might have been a surprise highlight, but his total body of work stands out.
Benoît has played relatively mistake-free, physical hockey, logging 20+ minutes while keeping things simple. He’s not being asked to run the power play or lead the rush (although he did on last night’s game-winner). Instead, he’s being asked to hold the line, protect the crease, and make smart first passes. He’s doing all of that, with some bonus offence thrown in.
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His instincts on setting up the overtime goal were elite. He intercepted a risky Drake Batherson pass, transitioned up ice, and screened the goalie after handing off to Domi. That’s awareness, hustle, and hockey IQ — all in one sequence. That’s not bad for a player who started the season as a healthy scratch.
Robertson, Laughton & The Role of Redemption
Nicholas Robertson is also quietly changing his narrative. While he took a penalty that nearly cost Toronto, he made up for it on the overtime winner with a banging backcheck that pressured the Senators into the fatal turnover. That’s playoff redemption — and it matters. He’s been banging around the ice with purpose.
In the playoffs, Scott Laughton is beginning to show why the Maple Leafs wanted him in their lineup. The veteran forward has added a layer of grit and composure that helped settle a nervous opening stretch. His high hockey IQ is also evident on the penalty kill.
These aren’t just fluky contributions. They’re the product of a Maple Leafs system that empowers depth players to play meaningful minutes and a coach who isn’t afraid to roll all four lines.
The Fourth Line Has Grown in Its Identity and Impact
Speaking of four lines, the Maple Leafs’ fourth line deserves credit. This group isn’t just killing time or treading water. They’re driving the play. They dump it in, grind on the cycle, and force tired defenders to stay on the ice longer than they want to. They are surprisingly offensive for a fourth line.
Players like Steven Lorentz, Calle Jarnkrok, and Laughton are laying the foundation for the top lines to come over the boards with favourable matchups. Their energy and forechecking are helping Toronto win the territory battle shift by shift. In playoff hockey, that’s gold.
Depth Goals Are Winning Playoff Games for the Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs haven’t needed a hat trick from Matthews or a four-point night from Marner to get results. Instead, they’re getting the committee scoring that good teams rely on. It’s long been said that to win in the playoffs, you need your third- and fourth-line players to score at least one or two big goals. Right now, Toronto’s depth has already done that.
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One of the most significant factors in the Maple Leafs’ early success against the Senators, who have played solid five-on-five hockey, is the unexpected offensive boost from Toronto’s blue line. The defence has stepped up, not just in shutting down plays but actively joining the rush and generating scoring chances.
That added layer of offence has been more than the Senators can handle effectively, and it’s giving the Maple Leafs a crucial edge. This subtle but significant shift separates a good team from a great one—and maybe even signals that this isn’t the “same old Leafs,” but a team finally built for the playoff grind.
Craig Berube Is Showing Trust from the Top Down
Berube’s coaching deserves a spotlight here, too. He’s trusting players like Domi, Benoît, and Robertson in high-leverage moments. It’s not because he has to, but because he chooses to. And that confidence is contagious.
It’s a top-down culture shift. Everyone knows their role, from the fourth line to the sixth defenseman, and feels empowered to make a difference. At the same time, these roles can expand as the game proceeds. If the Maple Leafs go on a run this spring, the headlines might be about the stars, but the unsung heroes will write the story.
