Maple Leafs Find a Bright Spot in Disappointing Loss to Senators

Given the Maple Leafs are looking more and more like their playoff hopes are going to come to a swift end, another loss against the Senators moved the team into a tie for second with Tampa Bay in the Atlantic, and if they keep things up like they have, won't be tied very long.

But if there's anything to take away from their loss, it's that new addition Scott Laughton definitely delivered, at last when you take a deeper look.

The line of Laughton, Calle Jarnkrok, and William Nylander had some very good looks last night, and their expected goals for together was a very respectable 65.7%, and for a guy who's only had a few games under his belt; it's a great sign of things to come.

It was a positive in a game that felt like a huge damper on Toronto's momentum (as little left they had going into the game) but if Craig Berube doesn't panic and split things up; then perhaps they'll find some success.

Laughton and Jarnkrok are great defensively, and they give Nylander more opportunities to catch a breakaway, or lead him for an outlet to get into the zone and push for chances.

Acquired for Nikita Grebenkin and a first round pick, Laughton has gone pointless since coming over, and has a minus-2 rating and seven PIM.

For the season, he has 27 points in 64 games split between Philadelphia and Toronto, and is expected to help anchor the Leafs' third line for next season as well.

If Laughton can get some chemistry with his new line and figure out how to best utilize Nylander's breakaway speed and hold things down against weaker lines, it could pay off very well for the Maple Leafs come playoff time.

But there's only a few weeks left until the playoffs, so let's hope he gets it figured out by then.