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Reimer will get the nod in Leafs’ home opener

Chris Neil, James Reimer

James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a trapper save as Chris Neil #25 of the Ottawa Senators looks for the rebound during an NHL game at Scotiabank Place on March 17, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (March 16, 2012 - Source: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images North America)

Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier looked great in Toronto’s 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, but coach Randy Carlyle has decided to go back to James Reimer for the home opener against the Ottawa Senators tonight, according to TSN’s Jonas Siegel.

Reimer, who also won his first start, has historically dominated the Senators with a 8-1-1 record, 1.69 GAA, and .949 save percentage in 10 contests.

“It’s not 100 per cent based upon that, but I would tell you I’d be crazy if I didn’t look at it,” Carlyle said.

This is just the start of what’s likely to be a lengthy competition for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ starting gig. Reimer is coming off a largely successful campaign while Bernier is a very promising goaltender whose finally out from under Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick. Reimer and Bernier are both young and inked to short-term contracts.

They are projected to largely split the team’s starts unless one of them is able to firmly set himself apart from the other.

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