Former Washington Capitals forward Max Pacioretty played an unlikely hero and scored his biggest goal as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Thursday night.
With 5:39 remaining in the third period, the 36-year-old Pacioretty took a pass from Leafs forward Max Domi and fired a wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle past Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark.
The Pacioretty tally gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead and would go on to be the series-winning goal in Toronto’s 4-2 victory, eliminating the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 at Canadian Tire Centre.
The goal marked Pacioretty’s first tally since literally last year, December 20 against the Buffalo Sabres, and his first playoff goal since June 22, 2021 against the Montreal Canadiens, when he was a member of the Vegas Golden Knights.
“It means a lot,” Pacioretty said of his game-winning goal. “You keep playing because you want to pitch in. And obviously, when you’re sitting out and the team is winning, you’re happy for them, but you want to be a part of it and I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”
“It’s a huge goal, obviously,” added Toronto coach Craig Berube “He did a real good job for us. Veteran guy, he’s been around, he’s played in a lot of playoff games, so he came through tonight for us.”
Pacioretty, who also had the primary assist on a second-period William Nylander goal, suffered a lower-body injury in November and missed the final two months of the regular season with an undisclosed injury on Feb. 8 before returning in Game 3. The former Canadiens captain is also two years removed from tearing his Achilles tendon for a second time.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with people in my family and others and I thought that I was done playing a number of times,” Pacioretty said. “Everyone always supported me to keep going, but my story is just one of many and it’s one that is public, so it’s one that’s talked about. But a lot of resilient guys in this organization, been through a lot as well. Guys like that motivate me to keep going.”
After spending the 2023-24 season with the Capitals, Pacioretty signed a PTO with the Leafs in September and was signed to a one year, $873,770 deal after making Toronto out of training camp. Pacioretty went on to play 37 games in the regular season, scoring 5 goals and notching 8 assists.
“The way he’s come back from injury and made his way into lineup and become a key player in our lineup is incredible,” William Nylander said.
With the Leafs advancing, they’ll play the Florida Panthers in the second round.
