Jonathan Bernier gets the nod.
The beleaguered No. 1 returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday, having completed his 10-day conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, and head coach Mike Babcock said he would start Tuesday versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bernier joined Garret Sparks and James Reimer (still injured) for practice at the MasterCard Centre the morning after surrendering five goals to the Utica Comets.
“I think I gained that confidence back,” Bernier told Marlies reporter Kyle Cicerella. “[I] made some adjustments in my game and I feel good, so I’m ready to go back to the Leafs.
“Obviously [the AHL] is a different league, but guys can still shoot and make plays. I made some adjustments on my own and feel good.”
Until Sunday’s 5-4 overtime loss, Bernier had been perfect with the farm club, turning away 70 shots for three consecutive shutouts. He leaves the Marlies with a .948 save percentage.
“Jonathan has been excellent in every regard since he arrived with the Marlies,” Maple Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas said last week. “He just looked excellent in the net.”
The 27-year-old Bernier started the NHL season winless in nine starts with a 3.28 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage. He has not recorded an NHL victory in regulation time since March 3.
“We’re pretty fortunate to be in the league. You go down there and you realize how lucky you are to play in the NHL,” Bernier told reporters Monday. “I want to play better for the guys. That’s the bottom line.”
The injured Joffrey Lupul also returned to practice Monday. His status for Tuesday’s game is still up in the air.
