Pacioretty promoted to Tavares line as Leafs look for more offence |
Max Pacioretty is getting a promotion. The veteran winger will start Thursday's game on Toronto's second line with John Tavares and William Nylander.
"Two easy guys to play with because they're so damn good," said Pacioretty.
The 36-year-old also played with Tavares and Nylander early this season and seemed to complement them well.
"We actually had some really good chemistry," Nylander recalled. "Just hounding the puck and getting a lot of O-Zone time."
"He had some real good stretches with those guys before he got hurt," said Leafs coach Craig Berube. "Big guy, strong, you know, physical, good around the net ... I just feel like with JT and Willy, the puck, it'll be in the offensive zone more, and that's where he can do his thing to me."
Pacioretty missed the last 27 games of the regular season due to an undisclosed injury. He returned to the Leafs lineup for Game 3 of the series against the Ottawa Senators. It was his first game since Feb. 8. He played primarily with Max Domi and Bobby McMann in the past three games.
After riding some early energy in Game 3, Pacioretty admitted to struggling with the pace of playoff hockey in Game 4.
"I think I'm there," he said of ramping back up. "You're playing off adrenaline there early, and then your body comes back to........