Costly Penalties Could Push Leafs Forward Out of Lineup as Pacioretty's Return Nears

It's been a sore sport for the Maple Leafs all season, but their lack of discipline has haunted them at the worst possible times. Taking bad call after bad call, then not being able to kill off being shorthanded, it's going to be a death sentence come playoff time if they don't tighten it up.

There are several players to blame, but one that has stuck out like a sore thumb in recent games is that of Nick Robertson. The polarizing forward has had back to back games with a penalty, and teams took advantage.

While they aren't egregious or bad in the sense of dirty hits or malicious behavior but it's the careless nature and lack of awareness that's hurting him.

Two tripping calls and a lack of proper discipline may cost him his spot in the lineup when Max Pacioretty returns too.

The return of the veteran forward means that if Robertson doesn't tighten things up, then Pacioretty may have to be the one to do it.

Yes, he's been hurt and he's never a guarantee from game to game, but he plays smart, he plays hard, he's not the 25-year American star from the rival Canadiens.

This is an oft-injured, aging, but still productive veteran making a comeback and trying to win while he still has his legs under him (literally) and deserves a shot based on his improved defense, wealth of knowledge and experience, and well, you can't scratch Max Domi.

Robertson is a 22-year old looking to showcase what he can do before his team ultimately moves on from him. There's a lot of potential for Robertson to be something in this league, but what that something is has been a very hazy outlook so far.

He's had some flashes of brilliance but those are few and far between. In 62 games he has a dismal 19 points (12G, 7A) which is a drop-off from last season, and has two separate stretches where he hasn't scored for over a month.

For a guy who wanted out at the beginning, where does he expect to go with that performance? The bench at least for now, and Max Pacioretty can show him that if you don't play as smart as you do hard, it'll cost you no matter what.