Last night the Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins and today Max Pacioretty opened up about his struggles while playing in a major role. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been ravaged by injuries over the last month with <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/the-maple-leafs-announce-that-three-players-will-be-unavailable-to-play-against-the-capitals' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Max Domi, Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty and more all being out at various points.</a> With all of the injuries, this has also meant opportunities for others to step up and make an impact in roles they are not used to playing in. First, it was Mitch Marner being the focal point of the Maple Leafs' offensive success and then in the bottom-six Alex Nylander got an extended look at trying to stick with the Maple Leafs. Last night the opportunity went to veteran Max Pacioretty who was back from injury and one of the players Craig Berube called upon to play in the top six. Against the Penguins Pacioretty was placed alongside Matthews and Marner and was expected to be a catalyst to allow the Maple Leafs stars to thrive. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1865551354632056835'> </a></blockquote></div> Instead in just over 14 minutes of ice-time Pacioretty took two key penalties and did not contribute to the offense in any substantial way. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Leafslatest/status/1865593046617723023'> </a></blockquote></div> After the game, Craig Berube and Pacioretty himself spoke about the disappointing result and looked ahead at what is next for the Maple Leafs. <h3>Craig Berube addressed Max Pacioretty's struggling play</h3> In a new press conference, Berube was asked about Pacioretty's play while filling in on the first line. While Berube was of course disappointed with Pacioretty's penalties he did like that Pacioretty was looking to set a tone and be physical. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Leafslatest/status/1865786690759184791'> </a></blockquote></div> As for Pacioretty himself, he knows that penalties like that cannot happen and are unacceptable going forward if he wants to play big minutes for the Maple Leafs. You don't want to be in the box, not to say I completely agree with it all, Pacioretty said after Toronto's 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. But, you know, that's the way the game goes sometimes. I got to be probably smarter there. But, you know, the right intent is there. I just got to be a bit more disciplined With the Maple Leafs expecting to get Max Domi back in the next couple of games Pacioretty's time on the top line is likely coming to an end soon. If Pacioretty wants to stick around in the top six at all he will need to have a big game or two before the Maple Leafs get fully healthy once again.