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Scott Laughton pokes fun at unsuccessful penalty shot during loss to Red Wings
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dylan Nazareth
Jan 22, 2026, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 21, 2026, 23:02 EST
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On Wednesday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs fell 2-1 to the Detroit Red Wings in overtime.
Speaking after the game, Leafs forward Scott Laughton lamented the loss of a crucial point, but said he liked the team’s game overall, especially with Oliver Ekman-Larsson going out with an injury.
“You wanna get the extra (point), especially within the division, but we didn’t, and we keep moving forward,” Laughton said. “I thought we played a better game than (against) Minnesota, we were tighter, our D grinded. You go down to five D that early, it’s a grind, and they played really well for us.”
Laughton had Toronto’s sole goal against the Red Wings on Wednesday, burying a puck fanned on by Calle Järnkrok to give the Leafs an early lead.
Earning his seventh goal of the year, Laughton shared how he saw it go down.
“He fans on it, tried to go in for a rebound, and I was lucky enough that it bounced off a stick and I had a wide open net,” he said.
Late in the third, Laughton almost added a second. While shorthanded, the 31-year-old was hooked on a breakaway and awarded a penalty shot. Unfortunately, he couldn’t convert, mishandling the puck.
After the game, he was asked if he considered a slap shot (a move he’s had success with on shorthanded breakaways this season) and he poked some fun at his attempt.
“I was too tired, I should have faked a broken stick and let Matthews go or something,” he joked. “I’ve done that move before, just lost the puck. That’s pretty much it. I could probably shoot it there, it’s easy to say once I watch it again, slow it down, do all that, but that doesn’t go in. Sun comes up tomorrow and we get back at it.”
The Leafs have a day off on Thursday, but then it’s back to business for a showdown against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, as Mitch Marner returns to Toronto for the first time since departing the Maple Leafs. Asked about Marner’s return, Laughton previewed what he expects to be a passionate home crowd.
“I’m sure it’s gonna be… loud,” Laughton said.

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