“It’s never easy to see,” John Tavares comments on Max Pacioretty’s ‘extensive’ lower-body injury in game against Canadiens

John Tavares comments on Max Pacioretty’s lower-body injury as forward leaves game mid-way against Canadiens.

“It’s never easy to see,” John Tavares comments on Max Pacioretty’s ‘extensive’ lower-body injury in game against Canadiens

Max Pacioretty [Image Credit: Maple Leafs Hot Stove]

Toronto Maple Leafs alternate captain John Tavares discussed forward Max Pacioretty’s lower-body injury. The left winger got injured Saturday night during the Leafs game against the Montreal Canadiens. Recent reports have indicated that Pacioretty’s injury seems more serious than anticipated.

Pacioretty was cross-checked in the back by Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson. Soon after the hit, the 35-year-old fell on the ice while holding his left hamstring. Many feared that he had a pull, as he needed help from his teammates to go down the locker room.

He was clearly in visible pain but still stood up to skate. After a few minutes at the bench, John Tavares and Ryan Reaves helped Pacioretty go down to the Leafs locker room.

FS Video

Pacioretty was seen not putting any weight on his left leg. He has been skating with these two as linemates in the second line for Toronto. The forward exited the ice after skating for 5:10 minutes.

When he did not return from the locker room for the second half, the team ruled him out for the rest of the night. He was later diagnosed with a lower-body injury. According to NHL insider Nick Alberga, Pacioretty’s injury didn’t seem too bad.

Toronto Maple Leafs alternate captain John Tavares commented how witnessing such a scene is hard. He noted that the team will miss him as they prepare for the next game.

You just hope the news is better than how he’s feeling in the moment…It’s never easy to see. We’ve obviously found some chemistry together and had some success early, so we’re obviously going to miss him and what he brings to the table.

John Tavares as per Leafs Latest on X
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However, whether he is in the lineup in Tuesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators is still questionable. During the postgame conference, head coach Craig Berube said, “We’ll have to see in a day or so what’s going on there with him.”

Max Pacioretty’s injury seems to be more serious than initially let on

The veteran forward seems to be struggling with bad luck when it comes to a lower-body injury. Last year, during his stint with the Washington Capitals, he missed the first half of the season due to rehab from two consecutive Achilles tendon surgeries.

Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty [Image Credit: NY Times]

He then signed a 1-year contract with the Leafs with $873,770 million. While the injury on Saturday did not affect the veteran for the long term, as per a report on X, Max Pacioretty’s injury seems to be “extensive and will keep him out for a while.”

While the details are not yet shared, the fans hope to get a clear view of what is happening with Pacioretty. TSN insider Darren Dreger expects the injury to keep the forward out for a while.

Sad for Pacioretty, it’s extensive. Nobody’s going to disclose the specifics of the injury. I think we could all see that he was grabbing the back of his leg, upper leg, right? When he went down on the ice, we saw him get helped off the ice. I think we’ll hear more about that today.

Darren Dreger on First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo podcast
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On the other hand, Auston Matthews is expected to be back on the roster as early as Tuesday’s game against the Senators. Given the current situation, Leafs GM Brad Treliving must make changes to accommodate the current lineup with Pacioretty gone.