While the Toronto Maple Leafs’ big guns showed up in Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators, the line of Scott Laughton, Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok deserves a ton of credit for impacting the game. All signs are pointing to much more of the same moving forward.

The first 10 minutes of Game 1 were organized chaos. Emotions were high, bodies were flying, and the Leafs were the first to break the ice. It was a smart heads-up play by Laughton to show off some patience with the puck just over the Senators’ blueline, giving time for the trailing Oliver Ekman-Larsson to catch up to the play. Next thing you know, it was in the back of the net to open the scoring for the Maple Leafs:

The Maple Leafs have been searching for some chemistry among their bottom six, they’ve been searching for some identity, and stability from their depth forwards, and with Laughton, Lorentz and Jarnkrok, Craig Berube has a trio he can count on. Not only on the defensive side of the puck, but as they showed in Game 1, there’s tons of offensive instinct among the line to get involved on the scoresheet.

The trio was the Maple Leafs’ second-most-used line in Game 1, and expect more of the same throughout the series. Not only was their 8:49 time-on-ice together second only to Mitch Marner, Matthew Knies, and Auston Matthews, but the Maple Leafs ‘fourth’ line led the Leafs with a 60% Corsi-for rating. For those eye-test folks, this percentage indicates Toronto was able to generate more shot attempts on net than the Senators when they were on the ice. Impactful, versatile, and a line that could very well become the unsung heroes of this Maple Leafs playoff run.

For Laughton, it’s taken him some time to get his legs with his new team, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs present a perfect chance for him to reset himself and regain his confidence. While the trade likely came as a culture shock at first, considering the 11 years he spent playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, landing with the Maple Leafs was a childhood dream consolation prize.

Laughton finished Game 1 with one assist, two hits, and he won 58% of his faceoffs. The defensive-minded centre is going to be tasked with mostly a shut-down role these playoffs, but don’t be surprised if one of those booming slap shots finds the back of the net in timely fashion.

Lorentz has been a game-winning goal machine this season, with 63% of his regular-season goals being game winners. He brings the passion each and every shift, and as one of the biggest Leafs on the team, he’ll be throwing his weight around throughout the entire playoffs. Lorentz landed three hits in Game 1, and expect that to be the standard this postseason. It’s going to be a very physical series against the Senators, and that’s where Lorentz and company can thrive. He does such a great job cycling the puck in deep, using his size for positioning against the wall, and it’s only a matter of time before he connects with Jarnkrok in the slot for a one-time snipe.

As for Jarnkrok, he’s starting to look like himself, getting his legs back, and is starting to see more chances in high-danger areas. The versatile forward only scored once in 17 regular-season games after coming back from injury, but his quick release is underrated, and with the strong play of his line, they’re going to create more chances throughout the series, and eventually, the pucks are going to start to go in. Jarnkrok hit the post in tight early on in Game 1 and finished the night with one assist.

The line of Laughton, Lorentz and Jarnkrok is an interesting mix of smarts, will, work ethic, and strong two-way play. Berube has been searching all season long for a trio he can rely on among his bottom six, and with this trio, he’s found it, and so much more. A huge impact in Game 1, and plenty more to come this spring.