Maple Leafs’ Max Pacioretty day-to-day with lower-body injury

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube told media that veteran forward Max Pacioretty is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Pacioretty left Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period. He has tallied two goals in five games.

Toronto signed Pacioretty to a one-year, $873,770 contract after he joined the club on a player tryout agreement (PTO).

A couple of severe injuries to his Achilles tendon led to the 35-year-old playing just five games with the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2022-23 season. He missed almost an entire year of action before returning last season with the Washington Capitals.

In 16 NHL seasons, Pacioretty has scored 330 goals and 668 points in 902 regular-season games with the Hurricanes, Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens. He has also appeared in 78 playoff games, mostly with the Habs and Golden Knights, and has amassed 50 points.

After Tuesday’s loss, the Maple Leafs hold a 4-3-0 record with eight points through their first seven games. They defeated their divisional rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-2 Monday night.

Toronto is set to face the St. Louis Blues tonight in action as head coach Craig Berube takes on his former team. Berube also confirmed that goaltender Joseph Woll was activated off injured reserve and would be tonight’s starting goalie.