Jonathan Bernier says he’s feeling better every day.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ No. 1 goaltender has watched his team collect standings points in three out of four straight games with him sidelined.
“We didn’t give up much [on the weekend], and we’re in pretty much every game,” Bernier told reporters Monday after a 15-minute skate. (Watch above.)
James Reimer looks to get his fifth consecutive start Tuesday in Dallas as the Maple Leafs embark on a two-game road trip this week.
Bernier was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 31 with a lower-body injury he suffered in a collision with Evgeni Malkin during Toronto’s 4-0 Halloween loss. He will travel with the team but is uncertain if he’ll play.
“I felt something right away,” Bernier said of the Malkin bump. “There’s not much time left in the game, so I just figured I’d battle through.”
In seven appearances this season, Bernier is 0-6-1 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
The Maple Leafs recalled goaltender Antoine Bibeau, 21, from the AHL’s Marlies last week in Bernier’s absence, but Bibeau has yet to see action.
In other Maple Leafs notes, captain Dion Phaneuf (flu) did not skate Monday but is expected to play Tuesday. Winger P.A. Parenteau assumed Phaneuf’s spot on the point during power-play drills.
Forward Daniel Winnik, who left Saturday’s game against Washington with an apparent lower-body injury (watch below), returned to the ice but did not take part in the formal team skate.
