Max Pacioretty makes eye-opening admission about the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs returned from their three-day holiday break with a much-needed pause, and it showed in their 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
The win snapped a slump in which the team had gone 5-5-0 over their previous ten games which is a stretch below expectations for this season's Atlantic Division contenders.
Veteran Max Pacioretty acknowledged that the schedule had taken on the team and while he was speaking with David Alter of The Hockey News, Max Pacioretty highlighted the importance of the break, saying:
"It was obvious that everyone needed a little bit of a rest there. Every team deals with it when teams are waiting for you, and you seem like you've been traveling every day and playing a lot, and we've been playing a lot of hockey."
Max Pacioretty leadership and implication have been important as the Leafs navigate a challenging stretch without their superstar forward Auston Matthews, who remains sidelined with an injury.
"It's a good lesson, I think, that in those circumstances you've probably got to tighten up defensively and maybe hold down the forward a little bit better than we did."
Head coach Craig Berube echoed similar sentiments and was focusing on defensive improvements as the team's primary area for growth.
"We had chances to score in the last couple of games. Didn't go in. It's the other side of the puck that is more concerning for me. We gave up three goals to Winnipeg that, in my opinion, are easily corrected. I talk about details, stick details, little things, you know, that we've got to do better."
The Leafs' win over the Red Wings was powered by a hat trick from
Mitch Marner, who took the game over offensively.
Joseph Woll delivered a strong performance in goal and ensured the Leafs stayed tied with the Florida Panthers for first in the Atlantic Division.
With Matt Murray set to start against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, the Leafs hope to build on this momentum and solidify their place in the standings.
| POLL |
DECEMBRE 29 | 209 ANSWERS Max Pacioretty makes eye-opening admission about the Toronto Maple Leafs Do you think Max Pacioretty is one of the most important players in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup? |
| Yes | 142 | 67.9 % |
| No | 67 | 32.1 % |
| List of polls |
|
33 minutes ago | By Alexander Cole Dennis Hildeby Makes Hilarious Yet Cocky Statement Following Unfortunate Mentors Trip Snafu |
|
10 hours ago | By Alexander Cole Toronto Maple Leafs Are Now Targeting a Center Who Has Completely Gone Under the Radar |
|
12 hours ago | By Alexander Cole NHL Analyst Speculates Why Leafs Defenseman Morgan Rielly Has Struggled This Season |
|
15 hours ago | By Will Bloggs Brad Marchand's Comments About The Toronto Maple Leafs May Surprise You |
|
17 hours ago | By Alexander Cole Maple Leafs Forced to Make Roster Move Following Devastating Jake McCabe Update |
|
18 hours ago | By Alexander Cole Auston Matthews & Connor McDavid Face-Off in Ominous New Teaser |
|
19 hours ago | By Alexander Cole Max Domi Hit with Supplemental Discipline Following Dirty Elbow on Garnet Hathaway |
|
20 hours ago | By Alexander Cole Garnet Hathaway Appeared to Deliberately Knee Jake McCabe During Their Brutal Fight |
Previously on TorontoLeafsInsider
