Toronto Maple Leafs: The Emergence of the Fourth Line

The Toronto Maple Leafs are firing on all cylinders and their fourth line is no exception.

The Toronto Maple Leafs fourth line is playing as if they were one of the top three lines, not the fourth. They have been some of the Leafs best skaters and point producers in their first two games against the Washington Capitals.

Saturday night’s win in Washington was no exception as the fourth line dominated play. Matt Martin, Brian Boyle, and Kasperi Kapanen make up the line and each had two points and played a large role in the team’s first victory.

However, there are subtle nuances to their game that make them a fourth line to be reckoned with, not to mention one of the best in the Leafs lineup currently.

That being said, let’s explore.

Playoffs Statistics

More from Editor In Leaf

Martin: two assists, a +1 rating and an ATOI of 12:36 minutes in two games played.

Boyle: two assists, a +1 rating and an ATOI of 14:24 minutes in two games played.

Kapanen: two goals, a +1 rating and an ATOI of 13:45 minutes in two games played.

All three are tied for the team lead in points, playing considerably fewer minutes than the other Leafs with a point in the playoffs. For that matter, fewer minutes than any other forwards in the lineup.

For that matter, fewer minutes than any other forwards in the lineup.

So far, eight Leafs players have recorded a point, three of them being Martin, Boyle, and Kapanen. The only one on that list that has just one point is Morgan Rielly. The key theme here is that besides Martin, Boyle, and Kapanen, all of those remaining five players have an ATOI of at least 21:03 minutes.

That’s a 6.77-minute difference from the highest on the fourth line, Boyle’s 14:25 minutes, and the lowest of the remaining five, Marner’s 21:03 minutes, which is serving as the lowest ATOI out of the five.

Their Highlights from Game Two

Not only have they played well, but they’ve looked dangerous in both games.

Let’s review some of their plays that they made in Saturday night’s game.

All three connected for what was a beautiful scoring chance. Here’s a quick pass and go attempt being stopped by Braden Holtby in tight.

Kapanen receives the pass at the red line and calmly redirects the puck out for Martin to pick it up and gain the offensive zone.

I know a penalty stemmed from this play, but I’m almost positive it was taken by Connor Carrick. Either way, you have to love the play Martin made from his knees to get the puck to his teammate. Even the positioning of Boyle and Kapanen is on point.

Even the positioning of Boyle and Kapanen is on point.

Now, I know this was called an icing. But, it shouldn’t have been as it’s clear that Boyle negated the icing, or at least should have if the officiating in the game wasn’t so terrible.

And Some More…

Had Kapanen rushed the hit, it could’ve been a boarding, so instead, he just staples Brooks Orpik (legally) and is able to get possession of the puck. That’s why you always finish your checks, kids.

That’s why you always finish your checks, kids.

How could I not include Kapanen’s first goal of the night? It’s a sloppy video, but a terrific and electrifying goal.

The forehand to the backhand and in the back of the net.

Had this resulted in a goal, there probably wouldn’t have been a need for overtime, let alone double overtime. Good heads up play and a nice touch to get the puck on net.

Good heads up play and a nice touch to get the puck on net.

Lastly, we have Kapanen’s second goal of the night, which happened to be the game winner and what a goal it was. Boyle does the hard work here and dishes it behind his back to Kapanen who buries it to even the series 1-1.

Had Kapanen not been in the right positioning, the opportunity would’ve gone to waste.

There’s no way that you can tell me these three haven’t been terrific in the playoffs so far.

Home / Editorials