Every Spring in recent memory, the Toronto Maple Leafs make the playoffs, and their fan base thinks that this could be the year. It’s hard to blame them, considering they have an excellent “Core Four” or five, but they fall short every year.
Canadiens: The End For Patrik Laine?
Canadiens: Curtain Call For Savard
Laval Rocket Wins Game One
Before Thursday night, they could only get to the second round once when they dispatched the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022-23. That year, they thought it would be for sure; not only had they made it to the second round, but the Florida Panthers had taken care of their nemesis, the Boston Bruins, in the first round.
Toronto fans went from chanting “We want Florida! We want Florida!” to lamenting yet another defeat when the Sunshine State outfit eliminated their favourite in just five games. Then, last year, they had to take on the Bruins one more time, and after Boston took a 3-1 lead, the Leafs managed to claw their way back in the series. Unfortunately, they dropped game seven 2-1 in overtime, and it was back to the drawing board.
They did not make that many changes. The Core Four stayed. They resigned Max Domi and brought in Max Pacioretty on a professional tryout contract. The former Montreal Canadiens captain won his gamble and made the team, and on Thursday night, he saved the team.
The Connecticut native was drafted 22nd overall by the Habs in the 2007 draft and spent 10 years playing for the Canadiens. He acted as captain for three seasons and scored 448 points (30th in franchise history) in 626 regular-season games. Pacioretty made the playoffs with the Canadiens four times and scored 19 points in 38 games.
The relationship with the Canadiens didn’t end well, but he will forever be remembered as the player who got the Habs their current captain, Nick Suzuki. Seven years after the trade, he’s become a cornerstone of Montreal’s team while the former captain plays for a fourth team.
For the fifth year in a row, Pacioretty struggled with injuries and could only suit up for 37 games, putting up 13 points in the regular season. In the first round series against the Ottawa Senators, he only suited up for four games in the Battle of Ontario, but he made an impact.
With the score tied at 2-2 and just over five minutes left, the former Canadiens’ captain scored the game-winning goal with assists from another Hab in Domi and Pontus Holmberg. William Nylander then sealed the deal with an empty-netter, and just like that, for the second time in three years, the Maple Leafs moved on to the second round.
MAX. PACIORETTY.@Rogers | #LeafsForeverpic.twitter.com/f14XvAE272
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 2, 2025
They’ll now be taking on the Canadiens’ first-round opponent, the Washington Capitals, and it will be interesting to see how the Leafs’ skilled forwards react to the Caps' tough, punishing brand of hockey. Will Pacioretty remain in the top six alongside John Tavares and Nylander? Time and Craig Berube will tell.
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.