I like to put the caveats at the top, so here’s the big one.



The Maple Leafs have only played four games with their new-look lines. Two were against the Islanders and Rangers, and the New York teams are both in free fall. They have only four wins each and a sub-45-per-cent possession mark in their last 13 games.



But what we’ve seen from the Leafs the last four games isn’t just about opponents and ease of schedule. Three of those four games were on the road. Two of them were the second night of a back-to-back.



To go 4-0, outscoring their opponents 16-3, with 56.6 possession, it’s impressive — regardless of opponent. This isn’t a schedule-induced mirage.



And there’s a reasonable argument that the team’s new lines — and defence pairs — have been the key factor.



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Let’s list the key changes here, so that we’re clear what we’re talking about.



No. 1,...