There were a dozen or so members of the media waiting for Max Pacioretty after practice on Monday, a full six days ahead of the big game on Saturday.



The former Montreal Canadiens captain will get the first crack this season at playing in a high-profile return game. Erik Karlsson’s game in Ottawa not too far away on Dec. 1, while John Tavares has to wait until Feb. 28 to reunite in Long Island (more on that down below).



Really, if you’re going to have your pick in the matter, getting it over with as soon as possible is probably the way to go.



“People have mentioned that it’s probably good to get it out of the way early and it probably is,’’ Pacioretty said to reporters at the Maple Leafs’s practice facility. “It’ll be fun to go back.’’



Pacioretty has missed the past four games with an upper-body injury but has been cleared to play Tuesday against the Maple Leafs, setting the stage for...