Pacioretty’s tale is one of endurance. He signed a one-year, incentive-laden contract with Toronto prior to the season following a pair of Achilles injuries that limited him to five games during the 2022-23 season and kept him out until Jan. 3, 2024, when he returned to play 47 games with the Washington Capitals.

There is no team in the Stanley Cup playoffs facing more pressure than the Toronto Maple Leafs. That pressure appeared to get to their coaching staff.