Robertson and McMann have combined for five points since the Maple Leafs opened up their regular season.
Bobby McMann hasn't registered a point in nine games. Nick Robertson hasn't been on the scoresheet in six games.
But the Toronto Maple Leafs' duo continues to plug away.
Pontus Holmberg shifted to the center spot on the third line after Max Domi was moved up to Toronto's top line with Auston Matthews out — and now on the injured reserve — with an upper-body injury.
Domi will likely return to the third line once Matthews returns.
Robertson and McMann teamed up to score Toronto's first goal on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings, but it was called back after a coach's challenge for goaltender interference.
Even without the goal, the third line had a strong game against Detroit, generating a good amount of offensive zone time.
"I thought they were excellent. Yeah. I mean, the first goal, he touched the goalie's head, I think, a little bit," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said following Toronto's 3-1 win on Friday.
"But that line was really good. I thought they got through the offensive zone a lot, skated well, competed on pucks. Looked to get it to the net. They did a good job."
The line played 8:55 at five-on-five against the Red Wings, finishing the game with a 59.90 xGF%, the second-best percentage among Toronto's forward lines, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
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They also combined for four shots on the night.
But the line is pleased with the chances they're creating. It's just about doing that consistently, and eventually — like they did against Detroit — they'll find the back of the net.
"I think we've both been together long enough that we realize there's a lot of talent there, I guess, between us. It comes in waves, so sometimes, it's not what's hitting the back of the net, it's about the chances that you're getting," McMann said on Saturday morning, ahead of their game against the Montreal Canadiens.
"I think that's kind of what we're focusing on and trying to pick each other up when we're generating chances and making good plays, and also being good defensively because I think that comes first."
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McMann, in particular, had 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points in 56 games last season. The 28-year-old's longest stretch without a goal last year was 10 games, and it's already gone past that this season with the forward not having a goal in 11 games.
But the third line hopes to return to their scoring ways against the Canadiens on Saturday. And McMann, specifically, will continue to battle for more production in hopes of getting an increased role with the Maple Leafs down the line.
"I feel like the consistency is the biggest thing I'm coming for. I think I show spurts of playing well, and games and times where I'm doing a lot of the right things," McMann said.
"There's obviously a lot of room for improvement and I want to continue to be a better player and relied upon more, so just keep working and continue to fight for more success and more opportunity."