Berube: Pacioretty's 'played a pivotal role' in Maple Leafs' success

Max Pacioretty has been a revelation for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The grizzled veteran recorded his third straight multi-point game of the postseason in the Maple Leafs' 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 2 on Wednesday. He scored Toronto's first goal of the game before setting up William Nylander's tally with a sweet primary assist.

"He's doing a great job now for us in a lot of areas of the game, not just the scoring," head coach Craig Berube told reporters postgame. "He's played a pivotal role with the physicality, and how we want to play, the heavy style of game. He's been a good fit."

Pacioretty scored Toronto's series-clinching goal late in the third period in Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators after picking up an assist earlier in the contest. He contributed a pair of helpers in a 5-4 victory against Florida in Game 1.

Overall, he's produced six points in six playoff games despite averaging just 12:47 per contest. His physicality has also been on full display with a team-leading 31 hits.

Receiving these types of contributions from Pacioretty would've been hard to believe at certain points this season. The 36-year-old joined the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout in training camp before eventually inking a one-year, $874,000 contract, plus incentives. He scored just five goals in 37 games during the regular season and missed the final 27 contests of the campaign with an injury. He was a healthy scratch in Games 1 and 2 against the Senators.

Pacioretty was once a prolific offensive player, reaching the 30-goal mark six times during his heyday with the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights. His production tailed off after he tore his Achilles twice in a five-month span in 2022-23, but he's proven this postseason that he still has gas left in the tank.

"I think it goes back with his injuries and effort, commitment he put back to getting healthy," Berube said. "It's showing now, in my opinion, that he's very dedicated in that aspect. He didn't want to go out that way."