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Shootout Specialist Wanted? Leafs Vs Panthers

March 26, 2013, 1:15 PM ET [1688 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
In just over two weeks, the Maple Leafs have been in four shootouts and have come up on the short end in each instance.

On March 9, James Reimer allowed two goals on two chances against Pittsburgh and the Leafs scored none. On March 16, Toronto and Winnipeg went 10 rounds before Zach Bogosian won it for the Jets. In Buffalo on March 21, Toronto had the lead thanks to Tyler Bozak's successful conversion, but Reimer allowed goals by Drew Stafford and Steve Ott to give Buffalo the victory and on Monday, Tyler Seguin and Bozak exchanged goals before Patrice Bergeron beat Reimer for the game winner.

Reimer allowing eight goals in 21 opportunities(38%) is not a fantastic percentage, but it is more noticeable when contrasted with Toronto's woeful 3-for-21 success rate(15%).

Tyler Bozak is the only Leaf player who has enjoyed any level of success in the shootout, going 3-for-4. The rest of the club is 0-for-17.

While Coach Randy Carlyle and most of Leafs Nation are satisfied that the Leafs earned three of a possible four points against Boston, the 3-2 shootout loss on Monday represents four lost points in the standings in what looks to be a very tight Eastern Conference playoff race.

Leafs GM Dave Nonis has acknowledged that his willingness to add depth to the current group of players for the stretch drive, which likely means a veteran forward and/or defenseman, but he may have to consider a forward that has some success during shootouts with 15 games remaining in the regular season.

Would the Leafs have interest in adding Jussi Jokinen, who was waived by Carolina this morning and is known as a very successful shootout performer??

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With the game against Florida tonight being the second of back to back games, the Leafs are likely to start Ben Scrivens. The club held an optional skate at the ACC this morning and James Reimer participated after a 27 save performance against the Bruins at the TD Garden on Monday.

Leading goal scorer James van Riemsdyk was benched for most of the third period Monday for ineffective play and appears to be enduring a Phil Kessel-like goalless streak, having gone without a goal in the last seven games.

Matt Frattin will be a game time decision against the Panthers, as he was scratched in favor of Ryan Hamilton against Boston as he has not scored a goal since returning from knee surgery on March 9.

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