It appears Max Pacioretty's slow start can be attributed to more than a dip in performance, or questionable usage from Michel Therrien.

Sportsnet's Eric Engels reported on air Thursday that the Montreal Canadiens captain played with a broken foot through most of November. Engels added that Pacioretty was reluctant to admit that he was skating on a broken foot, as he didn't want to use it as an excuse.

Engels later tweeted that Pacioretty's foot has fully healed.

It's unknown when the injury was suffered, or when it healed, but Pacioretty was limited to three goals and five assists in 14 games through the month of November.

Montreal went 8-5-1 over that span.

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