TORONTO — Scott Laughton had just finished one of the most important — and physical — games of his NHL career. But he still couldn’t help but sing a tune.
“But you got to remember the smarter it gets/The further it’s going to go/When you blow at high dough.”
The Maple Leafs forward was born five years after The Tragically Hip released their 1989 hit “Blow at High Dough,” but that was of little consequence as he confidently hit each note. It’s Laughton’s favourite song by the Canadian rock icons. And its title neatly sums up what one of the newest Leafs is starting to do in Toronto: not getting ahead of himself anymore and playing it cool when he has to.
The Leafs acquired the Oakville native to stay levelheaded in the fight come playoff time. And despite the jitters that came with playing in front of family, for the team he grew up supporting, it was a successful Leafs playoff debut for Laughton, who notched a primary assist on the game’s opening goal. Laughton won 58 percent of his faceoffs, too. He logged the highest short-handed ice time of any Leafs forward (2:16). The Senators didn’t score on the power play.
And Laughton didn’t buy into the Senators’ attempts to goad the Leafs into penalties.
Scott Laughton making his way to the penalty box in Toronto last night#LeafsForever
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Laughton’s strong game was the highlight of what’s been a slow burn for him in Toronto. After a trying first month as a Leaf, he is rounding into form. And he might be finding the game the Leafs wanted when they traded for him at the deadline.
With his previous team, the Philadelphia Flyers, Laughton preferred to be one of the last players onto the ice from the dressing room. But in Toronto, he wanted to be toward the front of the pack. He craved more time to soak up the energy of his home crowd in Game 1.
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Chills ran down his spine during the Canadian anthem, he said.
Laughton, 30, won’t run from the fact the start of his Leafs tenure was underwhelming. There were newfound gaffes with the puck. The energy that was a hallmark of his game was sometimes misdirected. And there was little to no offence.
The transition to Toronto was harder than Laughton anticipated. His entire world had been turned upside down. New teammates, new routines, new place to live and heightened expectations.
“It’s almost like it’s your first day at school. You’re nervous and you want to impress and you’re worried about a lot of outside factors,” Laughton said.
But finally, Laughton has learned not to overthink things. He’s trusting what made him attractive to the Leafs, including his experience. And he’s moved out of the hotel he first stayed at after being shipped to Toronto and is living in his own home in Oakville. That’s helped him settle in.
“The last two weeks, for sure, I’m starting to find my game,” Laughton said.
There is a calmness about Laughton. Part of that is his age. Part of that is his personality. His voice only rises when he cracks a sarcastic joke. Or, when he sings his favourite band’s songs.
Part of what has made Laughton comfortable in Toronto has been his efforts to take over the speakers inside the Leafs’ dressing room. He’s found an ally in Morgan Rielly, another fan of The Tragically Hip.
Laughton’s musical tastes are starting to rub off on his teammates.
“I actually walked into (the dressing room) today and they had The Hip going,” he said, cracking a knowing grin. “Someone else put it on.”
Laughton’s teammates have welcomed the relaxed and confident teammate who took time to come out of his shell.
“(Laughton) is such an easygoing guy. He’s been great for our room, to be honest. He’s vocal and he always has the right things to say,” Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe said.
In a series that has so far exposed the wide gap between the Leafs’ and Senators’ playoff experience, it’s worth remembering that Laughton played his first playoff game before many Leafs did. Back in 2016, at just 21, Laughton played three postseason games for the Flyers. He then logged 15 postseason games four years later in the 2020 bubble playoffs and led the Flyers with five goals.
“The last time I was (in the playoffs), there were no fans here,” Laughton said, before complimenting the Game 1 crowd. “Great atmosphere, great energy.”
Laughton fed off the atmosphere.
“That’s why you play,” he said.
What else has helped his transition as of late? After weeks of struggling to make an impact on the ice, Laughton may have found a role that suits him.
Originally acquired to be the Leafs’ third-line centre, Laughton is now in the middle of the Leafs’ fourth line. And against the Senators in Game 1, that line was one of the Leafs’ most effective. They generated the most five-on-five shot attempts (12) of any line.
With Laughton, the recently created fourth line, which also includes Calle Järnkrok and Steven Lorentz, has played simple but resolute hockey shift to shift. They’re cycling the puck and getting behind the opposing defenders.
In short, they’re playing playoff hockey. Laughton is doing what he was acquired to do.
“We’ve been reading great off each other. We’ve got to keep that going and create momentum, especially after power plays. (Coach Craig Berube) has leaned on us in certain situations, so it’s been big,” Laughton said.
Given that Laughton’s line played more than Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson in Game 1, you could make a case Berube actually sees them as his de facto third line.
“Just the checking and hounding,” Berube said Monday, asked what he liked about the line. “I think they’re a difficult line to play against. They forecheck well and they’re on top of people, and there’s just no room out there when they’re playing. And they’re responsible defensively. They’ve been a good line for a little while now.”
And so Laughton will likely continue to play a vital role for the Leafs as the temperature rises against the Senators.
Ahead of the playoffs, Berube preached the importance of silencing the noise that comes with being a Leaf during the postseason. That applies to Laughton as much as anyone. The media presence grows. There will be extra attention that comes from longtime friends and family members.
But Laughton insists that after a busy first month in Toronto, he’s becoming skilled at blocking out that noise. His pregame meal Sunday was courtesy of his Italian grandmother, who whipped up pasta with meatballs just for him.
“You keep the circle pretty tight,” Laughton said.
And in silencing the noise, he’s allowed himself to remain focused on contributing.
“I was lucky,” Laughton said. “My parents, brother and wife were here.”
If you were on an eastbound Go Train coming from Oakville into Union Station before the game and had a keen eye, you might have spotted Laughton’s family.
“It’s really special to have them so close,” Laughton said. “But they can’t get down with the traffic.”
After games, Laughton will see his family — and likely only his family.
They’ll see the Laughton they’ve always known. It’s the Laughton who is emerging as a factor for the Leafs at just the right time.
“I’m comfortable now,” Laughton said. “This is the time when I think my game will be at its best.”
(Photo: Mathew Tsang / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)