Craig Berube Reveals the Real Reason Behind Max Pacioretty's Scratch Against the Kings
Max Pacioretty was absent from warm-ups before Wednesday's game vs. Los Angeles and head coach Craig Berube explained the true reason for his disappearance.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Max Pacioretty to a PTO earlier this offseason and he impressed enough to sign a full contract before the season began. Entrusted by GM Brad Treliving to bring a veteran scoring touch and more leadership to his squad, some questions arose about his injury history and whether or not Pacioretty can hold up for an 82-game slate.
Well his absence during Wednesday's warm-up before the Maple Leafs game vs. the Los Angeles Kings was worrisome. Could Pacioretty have re-aggravated an old injury? Is there a new ailment? Is he afflicted with the dastardly locker room virus sweeping through the team? There were questions aplenty, however, head coach Craig Berube put any worry to rest regarding Pacioretty:
«There's no message. We have guys, we have extra players, and not everybody can play every night, that's the bottom line. He's been fine when he's played, but I gotta make decisions as a coach, and I'm gonna make those decisions what I think is best for the team.»
It's been fairly successful so far for Pacioretty in this young season, being the first Maple Leaf player this season to score, and setting the tone that has partially led to the momentum Toronto is currently riding. The Maple Leafs have a large rotation of wingers, and with John Tavares and William Nylander back in the game, Berube decided Pacioretty could do with a night off; especially after the Pittsburgh game, where he took a bad penalty and was subsequently benched for it. The Maple Leafs didn't need Pacioretty on Wednesday though, defeating Los Angeles handily 6-2, with Auston Matthews finally scoring his first of the year in a full team effort.
It's a relief to know that Pacioretty isn't injured and that Berube was just giving the veteran a night off. With all the speculation about Pacioretty and his injury history, it wasn't a good look for either him or the Maple Leafs. Looks can be deceiving though, and Pacioretty's absence is nothing to be concerned about.
