'In The Playoffs, That's Going To Be Huge': Steven Lorentz Scores Fourth Game-Winning Goal Of Season In Maple Leafs' Win Over Ducks

Lorentz had two goals in the playoffs last spring with Florida, one of which was a game-winner.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs needed a goal in a tight game, Steven Lorentz was there to get one.

After the Anaheim Ducks had tied the game early in the third period, Toronto's fourth line put the puck deep in the offensive zone. After some hard work down low by Pontus Holmberg and David Kampf, the puck went up to Simon Benoit, who fired a shot towards the net.

Lorentz got a stick on the puck, deflecting it by Lukas Dostal for his seventh goal of the season. That would be the difference-maker in the game as Toronto left Anaheim with a 3-2 win and five of six points on the California road trip.

Four of Lorentz's seven goals this season have come as the game-winning marker.

"I didn't even know it was my fourth, but I mean, I'm not sure what to say. I guess that's the way the game works sometimes, where you might get one chance late," Lorentz said post-game on Sunday.

"Fortunately, I've been able to put those ones in. So that's kind of nice to hear."

According to NaturalStatTrick, Toronto's fourth line of Lorentz, Kampf, and Holmberg had a 73.19 expected goals-for percentage at five-on-five on Sunday, the best of the Maple Leafs' forward corps in the game.

Lorentz is tied for fourth among Toronto's players for game-winning goals this season behind Matthew Knies (4), Bobby McMann (5), Mitch Marner (6), William Nylander (8), and John Tavares (8).

The forward's game-winning goal against the Ducks highlighted what a strong fourth line needs to do. If they keep this up, especially down the stretch, it could be a trio that comes up clutch for Toronto in the playoffs.

"That whole line, I wish they all could have gotten a goal on that because, I mean, Holmer (Holmberg) protecting the puck, Davey (Kampf) protecting the puck, and obviously what a tip," said Max Domi, who also had a goal in the game.

"All three of them are buzzing. And in the playoffs, that's going to be huge because you need all four lines, that's for sure."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube echoed Domi's comments.

"I mean, you need everybody in the playoffs, and especially a line that can go out and, you know, use them tonight against some of their top players and checking situations and PK and just driving the identity of your team."

Lorentz played 16 games for the Florida Panthers during their Stanley Cup run last spring. He registered two goals and one assist through that stretch, with one of those goals being a game-winner.

Clearly, there's some validity to him being able to come up big in key moments.

"He's a big body. He's good around the net. He tipped that one in tonight. He does a good job of that," Berube added on Sunday. "He's a down-low player in the offensive zone and knows what he needs to do to be successful, and he's around the net."

Lorentz has played in 72 of Toronto's 74 games this season. Along with his four game-winning goals, the 28-year-old has 182 hits (second on the team) and 48 blocked shots (second among Maple Leafs forwards).

He might not appear a vital player with his 10:24 of ice time each night, however, it's the complete opposite of that. Every player matters, and we're currently seeing first-hand why Lorentz was an integral part of Florida's Stanley Cup run.

"I think he's a guy that is very consistent in everything he does. He makes the right play, he blocks shots, he gets the puck deep," Joseph Woll said.

"He plays the kind of game that we need him to play. And when you seem to reward like that from doing the right things, it's pretty awesome. So it put a smile on my face after the game."

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