Seventy-five days after playing what was his final game of the regular season, Max Pacioretty draws into the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup for Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators.

The veteran forward draws into Toronto's lineup for Nick Robertson, who took a costly high-sticking penalty in the third period of Game 2, resulting in a Senators power play goal, which cut the Maple Leafs' lead in half.

"You really got to manage your stick. His stick got a little high and caught a guy in the face, and you go to the box. So it's just discipline, right? You got to have him control your stick," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Wednesday of the message to Robertson.

"Refs are calling that all day. Whether your stick's in the guy's hands or you slash a guy or whatever, they're going to call that stuff. 100% for sure they're calling that stuff, so control your stick. You got to control your stick."

Pacioretty draws into Robertson's spot on the third line alongside Bobby McMann, whose production has dipped, and Max Domi, the overtime-winning goal scorer in Game 2 in Toronto.

"He's a physical, fast player. He plays very straight lines. I think he's pretty fired up to get back in the lineup," Auston Matthews said Thursday morning. "It's been a little while for him, but he's a veteran guy. I think he knows what to do out there, especially in these kinds of situations."

Pacioretty hasn't played since Feb. 8, a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. After the 4 Nations break concluded, Pacioretty rejoined the team in Toronto and tweaked something in his first practice back with the team.

"I don't think it's serious," Berube said on Feb. 19. Pacioretty would miss the remainder of the regular season after being placed on long-term injured reserve by Toronto on Mar. 7.

‘Couldn’t Be Happier For Him’: Max Domi Plays Overtime Hero, Scores Game-Winning Goal To Lift Maple Leafs Over Senators In Game 2 Victory It was another overtime classic etched into the history of the Battle of Ontario on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena – and it was a hometown player who sealed the deal.

Toronto couldn't activate Pacioretty due to the salary cap restraints around the team in the final weeks of the regular season. After signing a one-year, $873,770 contract, the forward scored 13 points — five goals and eight assists — in 37 games.

Along with playing on the third line, Pacioretty rejoins Toronto's second power play unit, which consists of Domi, McMann, Morgan Rielly, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

The rest of Toronto's lineup stays the same for Game 3 in Ottawa. Anthony Stolarz is the projected starter for the Maple Leafs after winning his first two games with a .934 save percentage.

Ottawa appears to be running the same lineup they had in Game 2. Puck drop for Game 3 between the Maple Leafs and Senators is set for 7 p.m. ET.

'He Came In Wanting To Be A Starter': Inside Anthony Stolarz's Rise To Maple Leafs Stardom In Series Against Senators Ridly Greig stood before Anthony Stolarz and received a few chops and shoves before getting knocked down by the towering goaltender shortly after.

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