Max Pacioretty Offers Thoughts After 3-Point Performance in Leafs Debut
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.
| POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 23 | 713 ANSWERS Max Pacioretty Offers Thoughts After 3-Point Performance in Leafs Debut How many games will Pacioretty play this season? |
| 20-30 | 78 | 10.9 % |
| 31-40 | 147 | 20.6 % |
| 41-60 | 323 | 45.3 % |
| More than 60 | 165 | 23.1 % |
| List of polls |
|
8 minutes ago | By Dean Chaudhry Ex-Leafs Enforcer Turned Podcaster Shares Strong Opinion on Auston Matthews Situation |
|
5 hours ago | By Mike Armenti Ex-NHLer Accuses Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs of Being Dishonest with the Public |
|
Dec 24 | By Dean Chaudhry Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews Believed to Have Reached an Understanding Surrounding His Health |
|
Dec 24 | By Mike Armenti Spittin' Chiclets Co-Host Has a Special Message for Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews |
|
Dec 24 | By Ryan Smitheram Maple Leafs' Update on Chris Tanev Not Enough to Satiate Fans |
|
Dec 24 | By Ryan Smitheram Insider Reveals Power Struggle Between Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs |
|
Dec 24 | By Dean Chaudhry Legendary Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen Shares Special Moment with His Son on Live Telecast |
|
Dec 24 | By Nick Matthews TSN Analyst Preps Maple Leafs Fans on Potential Recovery Plan for Auston Matthews |
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
