Maple Leafs Announce Special Teams Role for Veteran Forward

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back on the ice Monday when they host an always-tough Tampa Bay Lightning squad. The Maple Leafs are on bounce-back watch tonight after struggling to get anything going in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers. Lopsided loss can often lead to lineup changes, especially after a team only scores one goal. That’s why it isn’t surprising that head coach Craig Berube is mixing things up on special teams ahead of Monday’s matchup. According to TSN’s Mark Masters, Max Pacioretty is replacing Bobby McMann on Toronto’s second power-play unit. It’s fairly big news given that Pacioretty has been a healthy scratch for the Maple Leafs’ last two games. Max Pacioretty taking reps with second power play unit at Leafs skate (Bobby McMann bumped off the unit) Pacioretty set to draw back in after sitting the last two as a healthy scratch @TSN_Edge — Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 21, 2024 It isn’t a secret that the Maple Leafs’ power play has been one of their weaknesses this season. After owning the NHL’s sixth-best power play in 2023-24 (24.0 percent), Toronto has only converted on 12.5 percent of man-advantage opportunities (28th) to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Although McMann has already scored three times in his first four games, none of his goals came on the power play. In fact, the former Colgate product only has one PP goal in 70 career games, meaning he might not be ready for an expanded role just yet. Meanwhile, Pacioretty has amassed 80 goals and 95 assists on the man advantage throughout his 17-year NHL career. It only makes sense that Berube wants to test if that experience can rub off on the Maple Leafs’ power-play unit. Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Max Pacioretty (67) skates during a warmup. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Time will tell if being scratched twice was what Pacioretty needed to get back on track after scoring once in his first three games this season. “I don’t focus on any of that stuff that I can’t control,” Pacioretty told reporters about being scratched following Saturday’s practice. “I just can control coming in here and working on my game and being a good teammate.” Helping the Maple Leafs find PP success on Monday would be one way for Pacioretty to ensure he remains in Berube’s lineup. It won’t be easy, though, as the Rangers enter the upcoming matchup tied for the fourth-best penalty kill this season (89.5 percent).