Leafs Winger Max Pacioretty Shares the Truth Behind a Nearly Career-Ending Injury

Heading into the playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs were rolling without the services of veteran forward Max Pacioretty as he remained on the shelf with an injury that he had suffered in mid-February.

Nicholas Robertson had done a tremendous job once reinserted into the lineup and it seemed like a bad idea at the time to mess with line combinations and chemistry once Pacioretty was cleared for a return.

Head coach Craig Berube was looking for a way to get him back into the lineup, and with the Leafs up 2-0 in the series, the veteran bench boss decided to place him in the lineup ahead of Robertson.

He didn't do much with his opportunity initially as he went without a point in his first 3 games but he did add 16 hits. However, when the stakes were at their highest, Pacioretty provided the Leafs with a pivotal assist on the 2nd goal as well as the all important go-ahead tally late in the third.

Pacioretty's road to playoff appearances seemed bleak at best when Robertson started over him. However, he proved his mettle and value last night and will now be a fixture in the lineup moving forward.

After his tenure with the Montreal Canadiens came to an abrupt ending, Pacioretty turned in 3.5 solid seasons with Vegas before essentially losing out on 3 years of hockey due to injuries. He tore his Achilles twice and only managed 91 games between 2021-22 and 2023-24.

Before the Leafs signed him late this past summer, Pacioretty was uncertain about his career continuing with a lack of interest and games. He revealed last night that he came very close to retiring, but stuck with it and came through with a momentous goal for a franchise that desperately needed it.

From press box to hero, Pacioretty turned the tide of his Leafs tenure and will look to make a similar impact ahead of their second round matchup against the Florida Panthers.