Maple Leafs Showing Signs of Frustration as Winger Snaps on NHL Official

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered their 3rd consecutive loss last night, effectively dropping out of first place in the Atlantic Division as they were leapfrogged by the Florida Panthers.

One player who's clearly feeling the pressure is Kitchener native Steven Lorentz. Now, that pressure may finally be getting to the Stanley Cup winner, as Lorentz showed visible frustration after an icing call was made by the referee that probably exceeded what it should have.

As per TicTacTOmar on X, Lorentz blurted out an obscenity at the official over what he felt should not have been an icing call:

While Lorentz isn't known for his offensive production, with just 11 points in 51 games this season, the Maple Leafs' 4th line has struggled to generate energy during the losing streak. The line has been invisible most nights, and the team has been lacking the energy needed on the bench that a 4th line typically provides.

Though he may not be a point machine, Lorentz brings physicality to the team, leading the Maple Leafs with 132 hits this season.

He's also shown discipline, committing just one minor penalty, even with his heightened physicality.

With the team in need of a spark, it's clear that Lorentz is one of the players expected to provide that spark. So far, no one in the bottom six seems to be providing that. Given the current struggles, the coaching staff may need to consider shaking up the lines again.

One option previously explored was moving Lorentz to the first line alongside Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. While that experiment didn't last long, it was nice to see the Leafs try something different.

The Maple Leafs should be willing to experiment at this point in order to get the offense going, so they could look to try Lorentz on the 3rd line, as they had done previously this season, in order to help create that spark.

The Leafs have a few days off before facing the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. A win against Connor McDavid and the Oilers could be just what the team needs to turn things around and regain some momentum.