I got the sense from the thing about Giroux trying too hard that you also think what Laviolette said makes no sense. I think what Laviolette was probably getting at is that Giroux is pressing or feeling too much pressure to lead the success of the team. I don't think he was telling Giroux to play softer or work less while he's out there. I think he was referring to letting it happen naturally and not force it by trying to do everything on the ice. Capitalize on his chances and not try to make things happen out of nothing
I agree with Laviolette and thought it looked like Giroux has been pressing all season long.
The fact that Giroux didn't understand what Laviolette meant and perhaps hasn't even asked him, says more about Giroux than Laviolette.