James Reimer will be back in goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight when they host Minnesota. It will be his first start since getting pulled 10 days ago versus the Sens.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Bernier will be the back-up after his toughest start of the season on Saturday, a 6-5 OT win over the Oilers in which he surrendered five goals on 31 shots. (Even with that outing, his save percentage remains impressively high, at .946.)
For Reimer (4.63 GAA, .879 SV%), tonight will be an opportunity to find a groove after a long time on the bench. Per TSN’s Mark Masters, head coach Randy Carlyle didn’t want Reimer to get “stale” sitting and watching Bernier.
The Leafs have ridden hot goaltending and excellent special teams to a 5-1-0 record. Their next game after tonight’s is Thursday at home to Carolina.
Reimer on his last start (pulled - 4 goals on 21 shots): 'Ah, well that’s a long time ago. I try to forget about that one by now.'
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 15, 2013
Related: Kings GM was ‘shocked at the lack of real interest’ in red-hot Bernier