Mаx Pасіoretty Leаves Gаme Between Mарle Leаfs And Cаnаdіens And Won't Return After Sufferіng Lower-Body Injury

The forward got off the ice on his own but needed help from the bench and down the tunnel after the first period ended.

Max Pacioretty will not return to Saturday's game for the Toronto Maple Leafs after suffering a lower-body injury late in the first period, the team announced midway through the second period.

The 35-year-old forward was cross-checked in the back by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson and fell to the ice, immediately grabbing the back of his left thigh.

Pacioretty got to the bench on his own power but needed assistance to the Maple Leafs dressing room after the first period ended. John Tavares and Ryan Reaves helped the forward off the ice and Toronto's training staff assisted the forward through the tunnel.

Before joining the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty had only played 91 games over the last three seasons as he dealt with back-to-back Achilles injuries. He joined the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout in September before signing a one-year, $873,770 contract.

Pacioretty has two goals and four assists for six points in 12 games with Toronto. He's played mostly within the team's top six and has averaged 12:46 of ice time under Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube.

The forward has 332 goals and 342 assists in 914 NHL games, split between the Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, and Washington Capitals.