Maple Leafs Ideal Third Line to Take Shape Once Key Forward Returns from Injury

It won't be long now before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it will be nothing short of a crucial several weeks (Toronto hopes at least two months worth) of hockey.

Thanks to the impending return of key veteran forward Max Pacioretty, who is skating in his first year with the Maple Leafs, the team's third line that they could be rolling with in the postseason is beginning to take shape.

Domi is playing in his second year with the Leafs after being extended with a multi-year deal last summer.

Meanwhile, Laughton is still getting acclimated to his new surroundings with in Toronto after being acquired via trade with the Philadelphia Flyers at the Trade Deadline on March 7.

Pacioretty, who is the former captain of Toronto's divisional foe Montreal Canadiens, has been limited to just 37 games this year with various injury woes.

With Pacioretty back in the fold, the Maple Leafs lineup could look something like this:

Knies - Matthews - Marner

McMann - Tavares - Nylander

Pacioretty - Laughton - Domi

Lorentz - Kampf - Jarnkrok

Extras: Holmberg Reaves

He last played in Toronto's 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on February 8, well before the 4 Nations Faceoff.

The Maple Leafs then placed him on Injured Reserve near the end of February after he reportedly "tweaked" something during a practice session.

Pacioretty has 13 points (5G, 8) in the 37 games he's skated in and while he's missed a good chunk of the season, has been a physical force and was making a solid comeback before the injuries.

During his career, Pacioretty has skated with the Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, and Washington Capitals.

While with the Hurricanes, he suffered not one but a pair of Achilles tears, causing him to miss significant time from their lineup.

He's played in 939 career NHL games, scoring 681 points (335G, 346A).