TORONTO — It’s been six months since Scott Laughton has had the chance to do what he did Thursday night. Six months since the 31-year-old has been granted an opportunity to lace up his skates, hop over the boards into the glow of the Scotiabank Arena lights, and play meaningful minutes for his Toronto Maple Leafs.

The road back to the blue-and-white’s lineup has been tumultuous. After a rollercoaster late-season spell with the club following his arrival at the 2025 trade deadline, the thinking was Laughton could head into the new season more settled, more a part of this group. A pre-season injury upended those plans, sidelining the Oakville, Ont., product for the first 13 games of the year.

He returned in early November, against Utah, easing himself back into the mix in his season debut.

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