Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Scott Laughton was not pleased with Toronto’s urgency and if he wanted the team to make the playoffs, he has a simple message for the rest of the boys in the lineup.
Toronto has been miserable lately, let’s be honest. They have not been nearly the team we expected, and they are struggling to make the playoffs and needed a big win upon Mitch Marner’s return.
Well they didn’t get that whatsoever, and were down big. If the team decides to pick things up and makes the playoffs, it might not be a long trip anyways and for Scott Laughton? That’s unacceptable.
Scott Laughton frustrated with Toronto’s lack of urgency
The veteran was upset post-game and had a simple message for his teammates and laid it all out on the line. This was not a good effort and they’ll need to pick it up or won’t have any hope whatsoever:
It’s simplicity, too. I mean, your D are tired. You don’t need to come back with the puck and make it harder. You chip pucks in, you fill lanes, you make it easy on your D, and you make it hard. That’s how you win at this time of year, and that’s how you win in the playoffs.
He’s not peddling any falsehoods either. This is the bread and butter of the Maple Leafs game and it has not been effective recently.
Laughton seemed to be the only one who showed up for arguably the most important and anticipated game of the season. Scoring on a breakaway goal that cut the lead to 4-2, he stared down the bench and tried to get everyone focused:
It’s been a breath of fresh air with Laughton as he feels like the only person on the ice at times with a pep in his step and we’ve seen his fire as of late really pick up.
When Laughton is mad, something is wrong
Maybe a combination of frustration and his teammates lack of effort recently has gotten to him, and if he’s getting angry of all people — that’s not good.
If the Maple Leafs don’t figure it out, things are going to be much different in Toronto going forward. They have to. Going 2-3-2 over your last seven games is not a playoff team; that’s a group on the ropes who are fighting for their life with a wide open division.
For Scott Laughton though, that better be soon or he’s not going to be so kind with his next choice of words the second time around.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
POLL
56 MINUTES AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 23 ANSWERS
Scott Laughton calls out the Maple Leafs’ urgency, and his playoff message is loud
Should Toronto be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?