logo
Max Pacioretty to replace Nick Robertson for Maple Leafs in Game 3

Max Pacioretty to replace Nick Robertson for Maple Leafs in Game 3

National Post24-04-2025

Article content
Whether they need it or not, the Maple Leafs are getting some Patches in their Game 3 lineup.
Article content
Article content
As they took to the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday morning in Ottawa, veteran Max Pacioretty was on left wing of the third line with centre Max Domi and right winger Bobby McMann, with Nick Robertson scratched.
Article content
The Leafs are up 2-0 in the best-of-seven Battle of Ontario with the puck dropping for Game 3 at 7 p.m. on Thursday night.
Article content
Coach Craig Berube alluded to a possible change the day before when the Leafs didn't skate. The obvious candidate to come out was Robertson, who has one assist in two games, a team-low 9:36 of ice time Tuesday and a careless third-period high-sticking penalty that Berube noted.
Article content
Article content
The call resulted in Ottawa's tying 2-2 goal before Max Domi won it in overtime. McMann, who also is in a scoring slump dating back to the regular season, moves from left to right wing.
Article content
Pacioretty, who regained active status last week following a February training injury after the 4 Nations Face-Off ended, clearly was frustrated at having to watch the first two games of the series from the sidelines.
Article content
The 36-year-old has 78 games of NHL playoff experience with 25 goals and 25 assists, but has been limited by injuries in this first season in Toronto.
Article content
When healthy, Pacioretty brings a physical presence that the smaller Robertson does not. With Ottawa sure to come out hitting to get back in the series, Pacioretty will be a counter to Senators such as Ridly Greig, who has tangled with Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz.
Article content

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘That's hockey': Oilers lose capitalizing-on-chances battle, Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final to Panthers
‘That's hockey': Oilers lose capitalizing-on-chances battle, Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final to Panthers

CTV News

time2 hours ago

  • CTV News

‘That's hockey': Oilers lose capitalizing-on-chances battle, Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final to Panthers

Florida Panthers players celebrate the win as Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) skates past during the second overtime period in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Friday, June 6, 2025. Somebody had to win. The defending champs did. Both the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers had their chances – and made mistakes – but the visitors made the most of theirs Friday at Rogers Place, including Brad Marchand's second breakaway goal of the night in the second overtime to lift them to a 5-4 victory and tie the Stanley Cup Final at one game apiece. 'That's hockey,' Oilers forward Corey Perry, who sent the game to extra time when he scored with 17 seconds left and Edmonton with an empty net for an extra attacker. 'We lost with 24 seconds left a couple series ago (against the Vegas Golden Knights.) Those are tough ... Yes, you can think about it, but tomorrow, you get some rest, get on the plane and get ready for Game 3. They're a good team. They're going to push to the max.' Brad Marchand scores in 2OT Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) scores on Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) as Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (back right) defends during the second overtime period in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup final, in Edmonton, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Momentum swung between the two sides, but just like in Game 1, the Oilers sagged in the second period and the Panthers – ever relentless on the forecheck – took advantage, with Marchand giving Florida a 4-3 lead at 12:09 of the second period while shorthanded. That gave the defending champions a boost and saw them dominate play the rest of the frame, although Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner once again bailed out his team and stopped eight shots in the final 7:53 of the second with the Panthers controlling play much of the time in the Oilers' end. 'We weren't as quick to recover pucks, and they're going to have their push, of course,' a contrite Leon Draisaitl told reporters in the dressing room following the game. And though the Oilers perked up in the third period to generate several scoring chances and eventually Perry's game-tying goal to force overtime, the game came down to who would get a break. Oilers vs. Panthers Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl, centre, reaches for the puck after being checked to the ice behind Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as Aleksander Barkov (16) and Evan Rodrigues (17) defend during the first overtime period in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final, in Edmonton, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS) It came on the winning goal, of course, starting with a shot by Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm that went wide. Panthers forward Anton Lundell recovered the puck and quickly lobbed it ahead to a streaking Marchand, who put the puck between the pads of Skinner on a partial breakaway for the winning tally. 'Those counter attacks often happen,' Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters after the game. 'We're on the attack, we got a great look. (Ekholm) comes in there, takes a slap shot. If he hits the net, we're celebrating. Unfortunately, it goes around and it's a difficult read. Everyone's going one direction, then it's coming back the other way. 'It's just unfortunate it worked out that way.'

Stanley Cup Final for old men: Brad Marchand and Corey Perry shine on hockey's biggest stage
Stanley Cup Final for old men: Brad Marchand and Corey Perry shine on hockey's biggest stage

Winnipeg Free Press

time2 hours ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Stanley Cup Final for old men: Brad Marchand and Corey Perry shine on hockey's biggest stage

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Brad Marchand and Corey Perry are by far the oldest players in the Stanley Cup Final. Marchand just turned 37 last month, and Perry is 40. Naturally, they combined for a third of the goals in Game 2 on Friday night, showing this is indeed a Cup final for old men, not for the earth but certainly in hockey. Marchand scored his second of the game to win it in double overtime for the Florida Panthers after Perry got the latest tying goal in the history of the final in the waning moments of regulation to give the Edmonton Oilers hope. 'You saying he's old, or what?' teammate Seth Jones said of Marchand. 'I'm going to tell him you said that. He's a dog. He's a gamer. He's a competitor. He brings so much energy to our team on and off the ice.' Where does that energy come from to play 22 important minutes? Anton Lundell hopes it comes from him and fellow linemate Eetu Luostarinen, the pups keeping an older dog like Marchand feeling young. 'He likes to spend time and be around us,' said Lundell, who set up each of Marchand's breakaway goals. 'He's in great shape, and it seems like nothing is stopping him.' Marchand is not slowing down in his 16th NHL season and 13th playoff run, the first away from the Boston Bruins. He is in the final for a fourth time, this one 14 years removed from his first when he and Boston also faced a Canadian team, the Vancouver Canucks, and won the Cup to keep the country's title drought going. His two-goal game came on the anniversary of scoring short-handed on Roberto Luongo in the 2011 final. Luongo now works for the Panthers in their front office and posted on social media after the game, 'Favorite player of all time.' 'Lu is awesome,' said Marchand, whose 10 goals in the final are the most among active players, one more than Perry. 'Happy to be on his team.' Perry even longer ago helped beat a Canadian team in the final when he and Anaheim defeated Ottawa in 2007. He's playing for the Cup for a sixth time in his career and for the fourth time over the past five years and is still producing at important moments. His tying goal with 17.8 seconds on the clock in the third period was just the latest example. 'Determination, finding a way to find the puck and then obviously putting it in the net. He's got a skill for that,' Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said. 'Knowing in the playoffs it's hard to score and you need guys around the net and finding ways, he's as good as anybody finding ways to score.' Plenty of folks might be surprised to see Marchand and Perry doing this at their advanced ages. Paul Maurice, who has coached more games than anyone in NHL history except for Scotty Bowman, is not one of them. Maurice credits rule changes coming out of the 2004-05 lockout and sports science around the league for paving the way for players to contributed later into their 30s and even 40s. 'I think we're coming into an age of that,' Maurice said. 'A tremendous amount of care for the players, whether that's the meals that they eat, how we travel — there's a lot of money that goes into allowing these players to play. The old guys and the young guys benefit from the rule change, and they're better fit, conditioned athletes over their entire lives.' Marchand has his own routine, one that goes beyond the Dairy Queen Blizzard jokes that keep swirling around him this playoffs. He rode a stationary bike before overtime, something he likes to do after most periods. 'You're trying to keep your legs going in overtime,' Marchand said. 'Keep them feeling good.' The Panthers are feeling good after acquiring Marchand at the deadline from Boston and unleashing him for goals in Game 2 that tied the series. Winger Matthew Tkachuk thinks Marchand scored two of their biggest goals during this run, aging like a fine wine. 'Hopefully he can keep it going,' Tkachuk said. Unreal player, unreal competitor. … 'He could play till he's 47 the way he's going.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store