Maple Leafs F Max Pacioretty (upper body) ruled out vs. Lightning

Field Level Media|published: Mon 20th January, 13:32 2025

NHL: Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs

Dec 12, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty (67) skates after the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

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