Talk about redemption!!! Scott Laughton can now breath, and I’m sure the weight has been lifted off his shoulders as he led the Flyers to a crucial, season saving 4-3 overtime victory against the New York Islanders last night. Laughton became the 32nd Flyer in Flyers history to pot an overtime winner. After being a healthy scratch for a few games it was good to see Laughton happy once again. Hopefully this gives him some much needed confidence for the rest of the playoffs.
When thinking of the Flyers overall makeup of their team, some people think of some household names like Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Carter Hart, and Travis Konecny all for good reasons. One name that doesn’t come to some peoples’ minds is Scott Laughton, and he stepped up in a big way last night, “You need guys stepping up this time of year,” Laughton said following last night’s victory, “I thought a couple guys came in and did a really good job for us. Hartsy made a couple big saves in overtime to keep us in the game and keep going. I thought it was big. At the same time, it’s one game. We got to regroup and get ready for the next one. It’s going to be harder.”
Laughton has been working his tail off consistently throughout the entire season. He’s like the energizer bunny, Laughton never takes a shift off. He hits, creates some scoring opportunities, and just busts his butt as our very own Yariv Wolok describes in this player profile video below:
The well, versatile Laughton, does everything the coaching staff asks of him, and does it well. Vigneault wants him to play Wing no problem, he wants him to play Center no problem. Laughton can play in the top six, as well, like he did earlier in the playoffs, as he continues to be the versatile player Vigneault wants him to be. Even after potting a huge goal he speaks highly of others, “We know what we’re getting out of Hartsy,” Laughton said last night, “He’s a really good pro. He’s our goalie back there. We have a lot of trust in him. You have to at this time of year. He stepped up big for us stopping Nelson on a breakaway there and kept us in it.”
“Scotty’s a hard worker,” Claude Giroux said last night, “I had a talk with him once and he wasn’t happy with his game. He’s a guy that is always going to show up. He’s got a good work ethic. That goal was him going to the net and getting his stick on it. Not just me, everybody’s very happy for him. He’s that kind of player that you want to go to battle with.”
One thing every NHL team needs for success are solid bottom 9 and 12 lines. Even though, Laughton may not pot 20-25 goals, he is still very useful, and really makes the bottom 9 and 12 lines thrive. It just makes this young Flyers team that much more difficult to matchup with. It makes their opponents think twice, as to what defensemen to put on the ice for matchup purposes.
Vigneault is placing Laughton in situations he deserves to be in. Whatever the case maybe for Laughton will do anything the coaching staff asks of him with no complaints, and he is the definition of a true Professional, “Guys are stepping up in big situations,” Laughton said, “You need that this time of year. I think obviously it’s nice to chip in. During playoff hockey, you always want to contribute. Yeah, it feels good.. I was pretty fired up. I think probably one of my bigger goals in my career to score. Obviously a nice feeling. Did a good job getting it to the net and just tried to get my stick on it. Was really excited, but at the same time, we’re still down in the series. We got a lot of work to do. Got to regroup tomorrow. Get some rest and come back after them.”
