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NHL Rumors: Insider delivers potential Maple Leafs lineup update involving Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty had curiously been a healthy scratch for the Toronto Maple Leafs the last two games. Per The Athletic's Jonas Siegel's report, it looks as if he will be back in the lineup for the key matchup tonight with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Leafs went 1-1 in his absence.
Head coach Craig Berube addressed the star player's absence via Athlon Sports:
"We have extra players. Not everybody can play every night. That is the bottom line."
The Maple Leafs, who have been one of the best teams in the NHL this season, have a lot of talented players and it is difficult to get them all on the ice. Depth is key in the case of injuries, but if often leaves some players on the outside looking in when a team is healthy.
In the case of the Leafs, they've been mostly healthy this year. Joseph Woll has been banged up and there was an illness that went around the locker room and affected William Nylander and John Tavares, but they have avoided major injury thus far. Unfortunately, that has led to healthy scratches for notable players like Pacioretty.
Max Pacioretty addresses healthy scratches
Max Pacioretty should be back on the ice tonight for the Maple Leafs. That's good news for the player, who admitted that he wasn't having the easiest time with sitting on the bench.
He said via Athlon Sports:
"I'm dealing with it the best I can. Just work. I mean, I'm at this stage of my career for a reason. Would I rather be playing? Of course, anyone would rather be playing. But, at the same time, I know I can help the team even when I'm not playing."
For the time being, Pacioretty is back. That may change in the future, though, since the Leafs have depth right now. For a team to be successful, they need a lot of good players. That's what the Leafs have, but that doesn't change the fact that there's a limited amount of lineup spots and ice time for everyone.
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