Scott Laughton hopes his line, alongside Calle Jarnkrok and Steven Lorentz, can find a goal sooner rather than later.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' fourth line has been a mainstay for head coach Craig Berube throughout their series against the Ottawa Senators. They've been Toronto's most consistent forechecking line, outchancing and outworking their opposition on a nightly basis.
Berube started the trio, whose minutes suggest they're more of a third line than fourth, in the first and third periods of Toronto's 4-0 loss to Ottawa in Game 5, which he's done with past groups.
In 2019, Berube started his fourth line in three of the seven games during the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins. For this Maple Leafs team, though, their fourth line has helped set the tone for the game. They'll need that again entering Game 6.
"I think we can have that mentality more as a team for sure," Berube said Wednesday before heading to Ottawa.
'All I Hear Around Here Is Core, Core Core': Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Wants Whole-Team Contribution Ahead of Game 6 Against SenatorsThe Toronto Maple Leafs core players may be feeling a bit of pressure after the Ottawa Senators kept the entire club off the scoresheet in a 4-0 win in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series.
The Lorentz, Laughton, and Jarnkrok line has combined for 36 hits in this series, the most of Toronto's four lines, and that's why they've had so much success against the Senators.
"You have to have that work mentality and that checking mentality," added Berube. "Checking’s not just playing defense. Checking is offense. You check for your chances. You get on the inside. You work and hound.
"It creates turnovers from the other team. It creates chaos for the other team. We can do a better job of that as a team."
‘We’ve Got To Be More Direct’: Maple Leafs’ Power Play Stalls, Surrender Another Short-Handed Goal As Special Teams Struggle In Game 5 LossThe Toronto Maple Leafs’ special teams were a struggle in their Game 5 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.
One area that hasn't come from the fourth line, however, is goals. Laughton and Jarnkrok were a part of Toronto's first tally of the series from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but have since gone cold.
It's not from a lack of trying, that's for certain.
The line understands they haven't produced offensively and are hoping that with how they're playing, a bounce will eventually go their way.
Why The Maple Leafs' Confidence In Anthony Stolarz Hasn't Faltered After Back-To-Back Losses To SenatorsAs Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot fired a shot from the point in the second period of Game 5, Anthony Stolarz did his best to track the puck. But he couldn't see anything until it was too late.
"I think we can provide a little bit more offense for us, but at the same time, still do our job and make it hard for them," Laughton said, as he revered his linemates.
"I thought both those guys were really good last night. Just trying to help them out where I can and be good on the forecheck and create some momentum for our team to the shifts we get."
Laughton had 24 playoff games under his belt before arriving in Toronto in March. He enjoys this time of year. The 30-year-old didn't have to say it, given that you can see it through his play in this series.
It only gets tougher from here on out, though. The Senators have played well throughout the last two games of the series, which they've won to force a Game 6 back in the Nation's capital.
‘No One Expected It To Be Easy’: Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs Focused On Regrouping After Back-To-Back Missed Opportunities To Close Out SenatorsWith the Battle of Ontario tightening up, Morgan Rielly and the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing their best to remain composed following consecutive missed opportunities to eliminate the Ottawa Senators in their first-round playoff series.
Aside from eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023, the Maple Leafs haven't capitalized on ending their opponents' season. However, with another elimination game on Thursday, will it be different?
Laughton says, "Embrace [the pressure]," so we'll see.
"It’s the best time of year, up 3-2 in the series in a good spot here. Going on the road, these guys have been good on the road all year and ever since I came here," he added.
"Every bounce counts. Every inch on the ice. We’re going to have to fight for it, we know it. But it’s going to be a lot of fun and I think we’re all excited for it."
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