Max Pacioretty Speaks Out on Blowing His Big Chance on the Top Line

Max Pacioretty inserted back into the lineup as the Toronto Maple Leafs faced the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Max Pacioretty found himself on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

The entire line struggled as Toronto ended the night with a doleful 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh in which the team lost control throughout the game.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has not shied away from being blunt over the difficulties that have existed with the Leafs roster this season. Berube called Pacioretty "a little aggressive", but defended his forward's play as a player a bit too excited to be back in action.

Berube still admitted Toronto's penalty troubles were a problem.

Pacioretty echoed similar sentiments, saying that he needed to play smarter in the game, David Alter of 'The Hockey News'.

Despite consistent injury woes, most prominently to their forward group, the Leafs have done well to overcome for the successive losses that have made depth a challenge, but overall despite the injuries, things have been smooth sailing for Toronto so far.

They sit second in the NHL's Atlantic Division with a 16-9-2 record, two points back of the Florida Panthers for first with Toronto having a game in hand on Florida.

Injuries have left Toronto in a spot of lineup inconsistency to find out what players work, and which don't.

One common issue with all their options is that none have been able to add bottom-six goalscoring, which has been largely carried by the top-six.

Toronto's top-six forwards (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, & Bobby McMann) combine for 63 goals on the season, with the rest of the team's forwards netting just 10, according to NHL.com.

Rookie Fraser Minten has managed to find the net well, with two goals and four points, although he may come out of the lineup once the team is at full health.

Toronto's already got winger Max Pacioretty back, with Max Domi expected to follow soon.

Fellow rookie Nikita Grebenkin has showed some good effort in seven games played, but has been pointless.

Nick Robertson, who was hoped to replicate his productive sample size with more playing time, has failed to capitalize on his chance to be a full-time Leaf, with just two points in 23 games and now finds himself a potential departure from the team.

Also pointless are Alex Nylander and Connor Dewar in 7 and 11 games respectively.

Defensive scoring has not been a bright spot for Toronto either, who have just seven goals from their blueline.

While they've been productive playmakers, the Leafs my want a bit more from their defenders in scoring chance, with Morgan Rielly the only player with more than one goal, currently with four.

Craig Berube has already shown he's willing to be tough, and GM Brad Treliving has already signaled he'll show unproductive players the door.

The bottom-six have struggled to find offense, and if Pacioretty can't find a spark on the top line, he may find himself sliding further and further down the lineup.