WINNIPEG – James Reimer has seldom seen an opportunity like this one since Jonathan Bernier entered the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending picture.
With the native of nearby Morweena, Man., expected to start Saturday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, it promised to be just the second time all year that he made appearances in three straight games for the Leafs. More often than not, he’s been on the short end of Randy Carlyle’s goalie rotation – an adjustment after playing 44 of Toronto’s 55 games last year.
Now the door appears to be open just a crack.
Bernier was pulled during Thursday’s embarrassing 7-1 loss in Dallas – although Reimer gave up four of those goals in relief – and didn’t seem too pleased after finding out that he wouldn’t be going back in at MTS Centre. Even though there was good reason to believe that Bernier had taken hold of the No. 1 role over the last month, auditions continue.
With Reimer having played so little of late (he started once in 10 games between Dec. 23 and Jan. 14), he has more chance to work with goalie coach Rick St. Croix. Beyond that, he’s just tried to stay ready.
“It’s 105 per cent mental I think this game,” Reimer said after Friday’s practice. “It’s all about trying to be in the right mindset and trying to stay positive and knowing that when you have the extra time to work on stuff, I mean that’s what you’ve got to do.
“You’ve got to work your butt off so that when you get the nod you’re as prepared as you can.”
The Leafs held an optional skate on Saturday morning, with only Bernier, Mark Fraser and Frazer McLaren taking part. There were no hints at any possible lineup changes as a result.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, has been flying high since Paul Maurice replaced Claude Noel on Jan. 12. Maurice was expecting to see a motivated Leafs team at the end of a four-game road trip, especially after the nature of the loss they suffered in Dallas.
“We can `X’ out the last game because I’m sure they have and it doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “(They have) a lot of confidence, a lot of speed, the quick-strike ability, real good power play with lots of movement. … We’re not expecting any residual (carryover) except I would prefer that they won 7-1 and were coming in here fat and happy, but they’re not.
“They’re going to be ready to play.”
The Jets will be ready, too. The team was satisfied with a 1-1-0 trip through California earlier this week and seems to be playing with some added confidence. Ondrej Pavelec is tabbed to get the start in net and he’s gone five games without allowing more than two goals against.
Reimer, meanwhile, was happy to get a chance to play in front of family and friends near his hometown.
“I love being in this province, I love being in this city,” he said. “It’s a great place to be.”
—
—
ONE-TIMERS
A victory for Toronto would bring their road record back to .500 … Since rejoining the NHL, the Jets have a 48-33-10 record at MTS Centre and a 36-47-8 record on the road … Leafs defenceman Mark Fraser was expected to be scratched for the 17th time in 18 games … Even though the Jets have eight fewer points than Toronto in the standings, the teams both have 18 regulation and overtime wins … Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf saw his lowest ice time in more than a month – 22:07 – during Thursday’s 7-1 loss in Dallas … … The Leafs roster features five Manitoba-born players and one more from neighbouring Saskatchewan … Dustin Byfuglien leads Winnipeg with 18 points on the power play … Just two Toronto players have suited up in all 53 games this season: Mason Raymond and Phil Kessel … The only other time the teams meet this year is when Winnipeg visits Air Canada Centre on April 5.
—
QUICK QUOTES
“I’m going to put a big hex on him right now – he’s plus-9 in five games and he’s got some points. Those are good stats no matter whose name is attached to them. I put him on the ice because he’s really good. That’s not a development thing, where we’re trying to get him more minutes so he improves, he’s just a good player on our team.” – Jets coach Paul Maurice on 19-year-old rookie defenceman Jacob Trouba.
“We learned how far we’ve come. I think at the start of the year that might have been a trip that we looked at and said `we’ll look past this’ because they were two tough teams. We might have been more intimidated earlier in the season going into those games and I thought that we did a good job believing we can win.” – Jets centre Bryan Little on California road trip.
