Pacioretty has 175 power play points throughout his 905-game NHL career.
Pacioretty has 175 power play points throughout his 905-game NHL career.
There was a new face on the Toronto Maple Leafs' top power play unit with William Nylander absent from practice on Tuesday.
Max Pacioretty got the bump to the Maple Leafs' number-one unit, which has hit a rut to start the season, going 0-for-9 on the man advantage.
If Nylander remains out for Wednesday's game against the L.A. Kings, the 35-year-old forward could get some time with Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Amid the early power play struggles, though, Pacioretty isn't worried about what's been one of the NHL's top-producing groups on the man advantage.
"There's some chances and then you get frustrated and you probably overcomplicate things. It's just a matter of great players trying to make a difference. But, you know, the skill on this power play, it's (scoring) bound to happen. It's going to come, and once it does come, confidence takes over and goals start pouring in," Pacioretty said on Tuesday.
"So, while I'm being asked about this, it's really not a concern in my mind, in the sense where I know what we have in this room and these are some of the most elite players in the world and it's going to come."
Pacioretty spent time after practice on Tuesday skating with development coaches. He was working on his skating and edge work, which the forward says has changed drastically since he entered the league.
"I mean, when I watch Willy do his cutbacks, it's unlike anything I've ever seen when it comes to protecting the puck. And I'm sending videos of it to my kids saying, 'This is how you guys have to do it,'" Pacioretty said with a smile.
Whether Pacioretty sees time on the top power play unit depends on if Nylander feels good enough to get into the lineup on Wednesday. But if the veteran forward does get an opportunity on Toronto's top unit, will it be a challenge given how much movement there is?
"It's definitely tough to jump into because they've had so much chemistry for so long, and while that's very very hard to defend, it is tough to jump into because they know when they're going to read off each other and switch and make plays," Pacioretty said.
"But at the same time, if I'm predictable, maybe I could help our power play as well. And, you know, I've never done it like that because I'm not as skilled as those guys, but maybe at times, there are chances to throw it into a stick in there and try and collapse them, and then that allows things to open up and allows seams to open up and whatnot."
Pacioretty has been on the Maple Leafs' second power play unit since arriving in the organization. Toronto head coach Craig Berube says Pacioretty's shot is one of the areas in the forward's game that's made him a dangerous power play player throughout his career.
And that's what Berube hopes Pacioretty can bring if he does get into the top unit.
"He's been a good power play guy in this league for a long time and scored goals. So he's big, and I think it's important that we have a guy that can get the shot off and also be heavy inside around the net."
Aside from the power play, Pacioretty was skating alongside Max Domi and Bobby McMann at practice. That trio may remain together, if, again, Nylander cannot play in Wednesday's game.
"Max has been playing really good hockey. Bobby as well. But I think Max has been, when he went to center, started feeling it a bit," Pacioretty said of playing with those two players.
"Bobby's a big, strong body who definitely can create some time and space out there. So two very good players. And, yeah, it'd be nice to play them."
The forward of over 900 NHL games has one goal in his first three regular-season games with the Maple Leafs while averaging 11:19 of ice time.
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