Auston Matthews skipped the club's full morning skate in Buffalo. Given the lack of production from the Toronto Maple Leafs' star, it's clear he isn't 100 percent. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ third line is on fire. Bobby McMann, Max Domi, and Nick Robertson have combined for an impressive eight goals, eight assists, and 16 points over the last three games. Even more impressive, all eight goals have come at even strength. The trio’s chemistry was on full display again in Toronto’s commanding 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/] on Friday, where they contributed another three-goal performance. The game started with Robertson taking a hit to make a play in his zone, followed by a slick pass from Domi to McMann on a three-on-one who buried his eighth goal of the season just 1:29 into the game. Head coach Craig Berube summarized their success simply: “For me, it's all hounding and hustle, said Berube post-game. “Like, you know, and playing fast. All three of them can skate, and when there's a breakdown, they're going the other way quickly, and they did that today on two of the goals.” Robertson helped round out the third line’s scoring, extending his goal streak to three games – marking the first time in his NHL career he’s achieved that milestone after he beat Luukkonen five-hole – pushing the lead to 3-0. Later, McMann turned playmaker, set up Domi’s goal at 4:27 of the second period with a perfect spin-o-rama pass that left Domi with nothing more to do than finish. “Unreal. I didn't really have to do much,” said Domi, referencing McMann’s highlight-reel pass. “Just skated up the ice. Right in my wheelhouse. So, great play by him.” “And then the other goal, it's just hounding in the offensive zone,” Berube added. “They're using their speed and their skating and tenacity. That's what I see out of them right now.” Domi, clearly impressed with the chemistry and play from McMann, can be see wording, “Great f****ng play, Bobbo.” While the team battled injuries over the last month, Berube emphasized the team was looking for more secondary scoring outside of the ‘Core Four,’ especially from Domi and Robertson. And he’s got just that over the past three games. Both forwards endured sluggish starts to the season but have found new life over the last week. For Domi, it took 23 games to score his first goal of the season. In those 22 games, he registered just six assists. Now, in his last three games, he’s tallied three goals and two assists, nearly doubling his season’s production in under a week. Robertson’s trajectory has been similar. In his first 23 games, he scored only two goals, struggling to find consistency. Over the past three games, however, he’s matched that total – and added another for good measure. The Leafs’ third line has helped provide a spark to the team’s offensive output. Competing through a heavy schedule, including multiple back-to-backs, Domi emphasized the importance of rest and preparation before their matchup with the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] on Saturday night. “A huge win,” said Domi. “So, just to be a part of that was great. A lot of back-to-backs lately. So, we're going to find a way to get some rest here, get home, and get ready to do it again.” As the Leafs return home, their “hounding and hustle” will need to remain a pivotal component of their success as they play the Islanders three times in the next two weeks.
