Establishing a solid third line might be the biggest x-factor for any contending team and it sounds like the Toronto Maple Leafs have finally found theirs.

For close to a decade, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had one of the best cores in the NHL with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly leading the charge.

Their top-6 was never in doubt because the aforementioned quartet of forwards carried the offense. What was always missing was a solid bottom-6, primarily a third line that could alleviate some pressure from their superstars.

It sounds like the Maple Leafs might have finally found theirs with Max Domi, Nick Robertson, and Bobby McMann.

After last night’s 5-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, the story of the game more or less surrounded John Tavares’ natural hat-trick that completed the comeback, but the effort from the third line was instrumental in keeping the game close.

Head coach Craig Berube was rather complimentary of the trio that combined for 2 goals, 4 assists, a +6 rating, 5 shots on goal, and 7 hits.

“They played excellent (Domi and Robertson). I thought they were way more engaged with their physical play and hounding and puck battles. They did a real good job, that line was excellent for us tonight and we needed them to be.”

Tavares felt the same way and noted himself that their play was what kept the Leafs in the game long enough for his hat-trick to do the trick.

“(Dennis) Hildeby was strong and I loved the way (Max) Domi’s line, him, (Nicholas) Robertson and Bobby (McMann) just skating really well, good pace and got a big goal for us to get us back in it, so really good to see them be such a factor for us all night. They’re real important players for us, so excited to see them get on the board and play the way they did.”

The Maple Leafs went full throttle to come back and beat the Sabres as they united Matthews, Marner, and Nylander on the top line part-way through the game, which was then followed by Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Max Pacioretty on the second line.

It might possibly be the best top-6 they’ve had in recent memory and the continued great play from the Domi-Robertson-McMann trio will be able to keep the lineup intact the way it is. There’s a very good chance that their offense can take off to new levels with each line honing in on something unique and special, even if Nylander or Marner returns to the second line.

We will see how things play out on the heels of their victory on Sunday night when they visit the 18-11-0 Dallas Stars on the road on Wednesday night.