Maple Leafs’ Max Pacioretty expected to play in Game 3 versus Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Max Pacioretty is expected to return to the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the opening-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Atlantic Division rival Ottawa Senators, reports TSN’s Mark Masters.

To create a roster space for Pacioretty, forward Nicholas Robertson will come out of the lineup, according to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel. Through two games in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Robertson has notched one assist, six penalty minutes, and one shot while averaging 10:18 in time on ice. At morning skate Thursday, Pacioretty was slotted on the Maple Leafs’ third line alongside fellow forwards Bobby McMann and Max Domi.

Sidelined for the final 27 games of the 2024-25 regular season after suffering an undisclosed injury, Pacioretty’s last appearance came February 8 against the Vancouver Canucks in which he finished with two shots in just over 12 minutes of ice time. Riddled with injuries for much of the campaign, the 36-year-old veteran forward was limited to 37 appearances in which he collected five goals and eight assists for 13 points coupled with 16 penalty minutes and a minus-two rating.

Pacioretty is skating in his first season with the Maple Leafs after agreeing to a one-year, $873,770 deal in unrestricted free agency, per PuckPedia.

A veteran of 939 career contests counting stops with the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and Maple Leafs, Pacioretty has tallied 335 goals and 346 assists for 681 career points. A six-time 30-plus goal scorer, Pacioretty’s best showing came with the Canadiens in 2016-17 as he finished with 67 points counting 35 goals and 32 assists through 81 games. Pacioretty has also added 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points through 78 postseason appearances.

The Maple Leafs enter Thursday’s contest against the Senators in search of a three-game series lead. Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday in Ottawa.