The Toronto Maple Leafs are willing to do whatever it takes to bring down the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Through Games 1 and 2 of the second round, this mindset has propelled them to be the superior team, with veteran forward Max Pacioretty leading the way.

The 36-year-old Pacioretty has four points through the first two games of the series, and once a prolific scorer, Pacioretty has adjusted his game this season to more of a checking role. He knows it’s one way to stay in the Leafs’ lineup, gain trust from head coach Craig Berube, and it’s helped pull his teammates into the battle. Pacioretty spoke post-game after Game 2’s 4-3 victory, and shed some light on what he feels is a big key to Toronto’s 2-0 series lead.

“It’s never really perfect in the playoffs,” Pacioretty said. “We knew that they were gonna play a very, very intense game, and we were able to match their intensity.”

Pacioretty had a huge goal to tie the game late in the first period for the Maple Leafs, but it was his physicality that stood out throughout the contest. He had five hits in the first period alone and finished the night with a team-leading seven hits. What’s more impressive is that Pacioretty did so in just over 12 minutes of ice time. He’s become a role player in the later stages of his career, and gives him full marks for the willingness to change his style of play to ensure he’s effective, and moving the needle for the Maple Leafs. It hasn’t gone unnoticed by his head coach.

“He’s doing a great job now for us in a lot of areas of the game, not just the scoring,” head coach Craig Berube told reporters postgame. “He’s played a pivotal role with the physicality, and how we want to play, the heavy style of game. He’s been a good fit.”

The Maple Leafs outhit the Panthers 41-39 in Game 2, but a staggering stat was the fact that Toronto recorded 25 blocked shots to Florida’s eight. Everyone is buying into Berube’s system, and the Leafs’ bench boss has loved to see it, especially from Pacioretty, his trusted veteran who didn’t get inserted back into the lineup until Game 3 of the first-round series against the Ottawa Senators.

Game 3 goes in Sunrise on Friday night, with the Maple Leafs looking to take a surprising stranglehold on the second-round series. While Toronto certainly is feeling good heading south, Pacioretty knows they have to stay in the moment, look ahead to the next game, and ensure their style of play doesn’t change just because they’re on the road and up in the series.

“It feels good, but at the same time, we know they’re gonna come out even harder in Sunrise, so we’ll enjoy it now, and get ready to really get to work.”