When Craig Berube arrived at his first training camp with the Maple Leafs, he quickly recognized the potential of a physically imposing fourth line to help reshape the team’s identity.

Ryan Reaves (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) and center David Kampf (6-foot-2, around 200 pounds) were already part of the team, and adding free-agent Steven Lorentz (6-foot-4, 216 pounds) has proven to be a perfect fit. While the concept of a hard-hitting, energy-driven line is nothing new, Toronto hasn’t often had this much size on its fourth unit.

In their 3-1 win over Detroit on Friday, the trio played a key role in wearing down the Red Wings during the final period, maintaining a regular shift as the Leafs held onto a one-goal lead until John Tavares sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

Lorentz, who joined from the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup-winning roster, noted the smooth transition to a team with a similar focus on physicality. He and his linemates, Kampf and Reaves, share a mindset of playing the right way, avoiding risky offensive plays, and committing to defensive responsibilities.

Berube has been pleased with their impact, noting that their forechecking presence forces opponents to be cautious, and their penalty-killing efforts have been strong. He also highlighted Reaves’ continued strong skating and the influence their physicality has on the rest of the team.