Crossing The NHL’s Atlantic Division: Week 24
By Tim Bayer
Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs
By Tim Bayer of Editor In Leaf
The Leafs let a glorious opportunity slip by when they fell 4-2 to the Washington Capitals yesterday afternoon. The loss, coupled with the Canadiens’ win over the Buffalo Sabres last night, dropped the Leafs to third in the Atlantic.
To make matters worse, starting goaltender Jonathan Bernier injured his groin in Thursday’s 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings and is out indefinitely.
Carlyle: Bernier had an MRI today and has a low grade groin strain. Believed to be day-to-day. #TMLtalk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 17, 2014
On the bright side, the Bernier injury means James Reimer will finally get an opportunity to take the crease. Reimer was brilliant in relief of Bernier in Thursday’s game; stopping all 31 shots he faced from the start of the second period on. He allowed three first-period goals to the Capitals yesterday, but the Leafs came out flat and only mustered two shots on net during that opening stanza.
Reimer and the Leafs will get their chance to rebound in a crucial Motor City matchup as they take on the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night. The Wings are currently three points out of an Eastern Conference wild card spot.