Maple Leafs Have Productive Second Line With Nylander, Pacioretty and Tavares – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a great comeback against the Winnipeg Jets, winning 6-4 after losing three straight games in disappointing and questionable fashion. The reaction was good to see even though they nearly lost the game after a late push from the Jets. They looked like they had lost their way after a good start, but they played the way they should have during that difficult period for most of that game.

While everyone deserves credit after a great effort all around, it was the second line of Max Pacioretty, John Tavares and William Nylander that stole the show as they were outstanding throughout. As Pacioretty gets frustrated with the prospect of making an impact, he’s done just that as he’s been used mostly in a bottom-six role this season. Tavares and Nylander are the best second linemen in the past and all three players answered the call as a result of that victory.

One game, but it could be the start of something as they have worked so hard.

Productive Second Line in Win Against Jets

Needless to say, the second line was a big reason why the Maple Leafs came out on top against the Jets and handed them their first loss of the 2024-25 season. They needed a spark where the offense hadn’t been clicking as of late and they got that with Pacioretty, Tavares and Nylander. After the game, head coach Craig Berube applauded their play and the way they defended the Jets’ top line.

Statistically, the second line had four goals and five assists. Tavares’ hat trick was the difference maker and Nylander hit another nice snipe on Monday Night Hockey like he did last week against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also added two assists and Pacioretty had three assists.

Digging deeper, their basic statistics supported their dominance. According to Natural Stat Trick, the second line in 5-on-5 had an expected goals percentage of 87.95%, a hit percentage of 78.57% and a high percentage of accidents of 66.67%. Every time they are on the ice, they make the most of their opportunities and take advantage of that with their quick chemistry and play.

Related: Maple Leafs Get Jake McCabe For Fair Price

It wasn’t the first time Pacioretty helped jumpstart the offense. He scored the Maple Leafs’ first goal of the season against the New Jersey Devils on the third line and when he moved to the second line, he made an immediate impact alongside Tavares and Nylander. If you can develop chemistry quickly, it can be a good sign of things to come.

A Small Sample, But It Might Work

It’s a small sample that this lineup is together, but you can’t ignore how productive they were in their first game together. Because of that, there should be no reason to break them up too soon because it would be great to see more of what they can do together.

They were smart and saw each other very well, but the work ethic and drive to win puck battles was evident in every goal. They pushed their way forward to the net, were physically strong enough to participate and were rewarded for it. They cause damage in any way they can to increase the pressure on the offensive line. Although it was very close to comfort because they had such a big lead, they managed to be the attacking difference in that game.

Judging by their performance, Berube should keep this line together for now. With the team finding competitive balance and still tweaking his system, it’s been good to see production from the second line when the team needs it. Even if they break the line, it’s definitely something they can go around and fall into again. If the Maple Leafs need a spark, they can be counted on to jump start the offensive push. If the team continues to get results in this line, it would be one thing to worry about as there are consistent second points on paper.

Related: Comparing the 2024-25 Maple Leafs to last season

The Maple Leafs need a jolt offensively and they got that from the newly formed second line of Pacioretty, Tavares and Nylander. They made an impact on their first shift and never looked back as they led the offensive charge. As the team looks to build offense after struggling to put the puck in the net, it’s possible they’ll find a combination to do just that.

Statistics from Natural Stat Trick.