Toronto forward Max Pacioretty has been ruled out for the Maple Leafs’ game Monday night against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning because of an upper-body injury.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said after Pacioretty missed practice on Monday morning that the 17-year veteran won’t play and his status for returning is day-to-day.
Pacioretty, 36, took a slap shot to the side of his head from teammate Auston Matthews during Toronto’s 7-3 road victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Pacioretty played 10:19 and was able to finish the game.
The Maple Leafs will replace Pacioretty with center Fraser Minten on a line with Max Domi and Nicholas Robertson.
Minten, 20, has been a healthy scratch for two games since being recalled Thursday from the team’s AHL affiliate. He has two goals and two assists in 11 games with the Maple Leafs.
Pacioretty signed a one-year, $873,770 contract with Toronto in October. He has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 32 games this season.
An All-Star in 2020, he has 680 points (335 goals, 345 assists) in 934 games with the Canadiens (2008-18), Vegas Golden Knights (2018-22), Carolina Hurricanes (2022-23), Washington Capitals (2023-24) and Maple Leafs.
–Field Level Media
