Pacioretty downplaying emotions of facing Canadiens in Cup Semifinals

Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey LeagueBienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockeyДобро пожаловать на NHL.com, официальный сайт Национальной хоккейной лигиTervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiinVälkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sidaVítejte na NHL.com, oficiálních stránkách National Hockey LeagueVitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey LeagueWillkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey LeagueBienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey LeagueMax Pacioretty wore his poker face ahead of the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens.The Vegas Golden Knights forward spent his first 10 NHL seasons with the Canadiens, from 2008-2018, and was captain during his final three seasons. Vegas (Honda West) and Montreal (Scotia North) did not play each other during the regular season, when the NHL realigned its divisions to have only intradivisional games due to the coronavirus.Although Pacioretty was downplaying the past connection and the emotions it may stir, others were citing them as inevitable when the Golden Knights play the Canadiens, possibly referencing that Montreal owner Geoff Molson and general manager Marc Bergevin each said the forward asked to be traded, while Pacioretty denied it."[Pacioretty] went through a lot in Montreal; (it was) not happy for him," Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher, Pacioretty's former teammate, said Sunday. But for the time being it's all business."Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer said the storyline about Pacioretty's trade from Montreal to Vegas will be a lot to unpack going into this series."The motivation is obvious on both ends, both [Pacioretty] playing his old team and the history there and the guys that Vegas sent there playing against us," DeBoer said. And I know talking to [Pacioretty], he has great memories of Montreal and his time there and great respect for the organization."Pacioretty's teammates say they appreciate the emotions he may face in a series against Montreal."It's going to be extra motivation for him for sure," Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault said. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Stanley Cup Qualifiers name and logo, NHL.TV, Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL.