The Toronto Maple Leafs have spent much of the 2025-26 season leaning heavily on their stars, and while that formula has produced flashes of brilliance, it’s also left them vulnerable when the top line can’t carry the load. But in their latest win-a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers-it was the depth players who stepped up and stole the show, offering a glimpse of what this team can be when the full roster is clicking.
Coming off a dominant 7-2 win over the Penguins, Toronto rolled into Florida facing a tough divisional opponent and grabbed two crucial points, thanks in large part to a breakout performance from the third line. This wasn’t just a case of secondary scoring showing up-it was a full-on statement from the bottom six.
Troy Stecher opened the scoring with his first goal in a Maple Leafs sweater, and it was a product of hard work and smart positioning. Dakota Joshua and Bobby McMann picked up the assists, but Nic Roy deserves some love too-he didn’t hit the scoresheet on that play, but his screen in front of Sergei Bobrovsky was textbook, giving Stecher the lane he needed to find the back of the net through traffic.
Then came more of the same from the same group. Joshua, who’s been quietly building momentum over the last few games, finished off a slick passing play in front of the net to make it 2-0.
McMann and Stecher were again involved, continuing a night where the third line looked every bit as dangerous as the top unit. Roy had a few solid chances of his own later on, and while he didn’t convert, his presence was felt all night long.
The dagger came in the third period, and it was a much-needed one for Scott Laughton. The veteran forward has had a rough go since arriving at the 2025 trade deadline, battling through injuries and trying to find his rhythm.
But with just under ten minutes to go, he cleaned up a rebound in front of Bobrovsky and finally got one to go. It was only his third goal in a Leafs uniform, but the reaction said it all-relief, joy, and maybe a little bit of catharsis.
That one meant something, not just to Laughton, but to the entire bench.
And while some might brush off a December win as just another game on the calendar, this one carried weight. The Leafs haven’t strung together more than three wins in a row all season, and when you're trying to build consistency, every point counts-especially against a division rival like Florida. These are the kinds of games that can tilt a season in the right direction if you capitalize on them.
Between the pipes, Joseph Woll continues to solidify his case as the guy in net. He turned aside 25 of 26 shots and looked calm, composed, and confident throughout.
Considering how shaky the goaltending situation was early in the season, Woll’s return and steady play have been a stabilizing force. The Leafs are simply a different team when they’re getting reliable saves, and right now, Woll is delivering them.
Next up: a tough test against the Carolina Hurricanes to close out the road trip. If the Leafs can keep this rolling and pick up a third straight win, they’ll head home with something they’ve been chasing all season-momentum. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit of belief that this team is deeper than it’s been given credit for.