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Max Pacioretty Offers Thoughts After 3-Point Performance in Leafs Debut

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Ryan Smitheram
September 23, 2024  (9:57)
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Max Pacioretty scored twice in his pre-season debut for the Leafs
Photo credit: Sportsnet

Max Pacioretty revealed following his 3-point night that the history of the Maple Leafs gave him pre-game nerves like he hadn't experienced in more than a decade.

Signed to a PTO just before training camp, Max Pacioretty skated in his first game as a Leaf on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators and looked like the Pacioretty of old. The 35-year-old played just shy of 16 minutes, registering six shots, and scoring twice while adding an assist.

Following his debut, Pacioretty admitted that he had not felt that nervous for a game, even with it just being in the pre-season, in fifteen years. He credited John Tavares for calming his nerves.

"I definitely felt a little nervous to start. It was the most nervous I felt in pre-season since I was 20-years-old. It's a privilege to play in this league. When it's taken from you for a little bit you kind of realize that sometimes you can take it for granted. Even a preseason game here, [with] the history of this club, you know, it got me a little nervous & that's a good thing. [Tavares] was always in the right spot ... It was a pleasure to play with him tonight."


Not only were fans impressed with his first game, but so was head coach Craig Berube. You can listen to the coach's comments at the 11:20 mark of the video below.

"I thought he had a pretty solid game. I know he scored two goals, but he was strong out there. I thought he was physical and strong on pucks. He did a lot of good things. Overall, he was noticeable to me. He was strong on pucks and physical. There are obviously things he can clean up, like everybody. We have a lot of work to do."



The Leafs were hopeful that bringing in Pacioretty would help replace some of the goal scoring lost when Tyler Bertuzzi left for the Chicago Blackhawks in July, and although it's just one game, the Leafs and Pacioretty could not have asked for a better start.

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Max Pacioretty Offers Thoughts After 3-Point Performance in Leafs Debut

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