Max Pacioretty Sends Impactful Message to Leafs Teammates Ahead of Crucial Road Trip

With the series shifting to Florida, Leafs forward Max Pacioretty has sent an impactful message to his teammates ahead of a critical 2-game road trip.

After clinging onto a 5-4 victory in Game 1, the Toronto Maple Leafs played a much better game from start to finish as they downed the Florida Panthers by a score of 4-3 to take a massive 2-0 series lead.

With the series now shifting to enemy territory in Florida, the Maple Leafs need to keep their wits about them and not get carried away, up 2 games to nothing, which is something that veteran forward Max Pacioretty will make sure doesn't happen.

On the message he is giving his teammates in the locker room, Pacioretty had this to say:

 

It's been an underdog success story of sorts for Pacioretty after he was on the outside looking in to start the post-season. The former Canadiens captain dealt with an injury for most of the latter portion of the season but was relegated to the press box after Nicholas Robertson had done just enough to warrant playing time.

Head coach Craig Berube felt the Leafs needed more jam despite being up in their first round matchup and he inserted Pacioretty in a move that has been nothing short of sensational.

Over his last 3 games, Pacioretty has 2 goals and 4 assists, which includes the game-winning series clinching goal in Game 6 against Ottawa as well the game-tying goal late in the first period of Game 2 that brought them back in the game, knotting things up at 1 goal apiece.

Many were wondering how both teams would respond after a fiery Game 1, but the Maple Leafs were able to keep their cool and did a relatively good job of staying out of the penalty box with just 2 minors called against.

The Panthers are in unchartered territory for the first time in quite awhile and will be trying to salvage home-ice advantage with Games 3 and 4 on tap for Friday and Sunday night, respectively.

Look for the Leafs to play the spoiler with Pacioretty continuing his hot run of play alongside William Nylander and John Tavares.