Max Pacioretty has battled through a lot this season, from injuries to healthy scratches. On Friday night, however, he delivered the goal that sent the Toronto Maple Leafs to Game 7. 

The 36-year-old forward buried the insurance marker in a 2-0 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 6, capping off a focused team effort that started with Auston Matthews’ go-ahead goal and ended with Joseph Woll’s first career playoff shutout.

Pacioretty signed a one-year deal just before the season and has recorded eight points in 10 playoff games. His tally on Friday was his third of the postseason and 28th of his playoff career.

Toronto head coach Craig Berube was quick to credit Pacioretty for more than just the goal.

MAX PACIORETTY MAKES IT 2-0 😱
WE GOT A GAME 7 LOADING IN TORONTO 👀 pic.twitter.com/Zi8CbaoUKg

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2025

“We talked about his injuries and how he has battled back,” Berube said on Saturday. “It was kind of an up-and-down deal with injuries again this year, but he stays with it. 

“He has a lot of character, and he is a guy who wants to help the team win. That is really what he is here for, and he has done a really good job of it. He got another huge goal for us last night.”

After the win, Pacioretty discussed Matthews’ game-winning goal and kept his message short heading into another must-win match in Game 7.

“I mean, it’s such a huge, huge goal,” Pacioretty said about Matthews’ goal. “You know, that’s a situation where no one wants to make a mistake. You could feel the tension on both sides there at that point in the game. And then just an unbelievable shot from an unbelievable player.

“We’re going to war.”

Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round between the Maple Leafs and Panthers is set for Sunday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Related: Maple Leafs Coach Reveals Exact Message to Players Before Game 7

Related: Auston Matthews Gets ‘200 Feet’ Message Before Maple Leafs’ Game 7 vs. Panthers

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