Max Pacioretty to replace Nick Robertson for Maple Leafs in Game 3
Whether they need it or not, the Maple Leafs are getting some Patches in their Game 3 lineup.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leafs concede Ridly Greig is great at agitating, but must ignore him in Game 3
RICK VAIVE: Good on Anthony Stolarz for standing his ground; Maxi Domi did his dad proud
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.
Big centre David Kampf also is available to the Leafs, but Berube likes the effort he's getting down the middle from Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Domi and Scott Laughton.
While Greig and defenceman Nick Jensen weren't in for Ottawa's skate, they're expected to play.
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