Jonathan Bernier missed games against the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets due to a lower body injury and will miss weekend games against the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals as the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender was placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 1.
The 27-year-old is 0-6-1 with a 3.02 GAA and .899 save percentage in seven starts this season.
James Reimer made 30 saves in a 4-2 loss to the Jets on Wednesday and could start in back-to-back games against the Red Wings at Air Canada Center on Friday and in Washington on Saturday or could split starts with 21-year-old rookie Antoine Bibeau, who is on emergency recall from the AHL Toronto Marlies.
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Defenseman Frank Corrado rejoined the Maple Leafs for an optional skate at the club's practice facility in Etobicoke, ON after completing a 14-day conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies. The 22-year-old defenseman was claimed off of waivers from the Vancouver Canucks on October 6, but did not get into the Leafs lineup before being demoted.
The placing of Bernier on injured reserve opened up a spot on the 23-man roster for Corrado, who have seven defenseman with rookie Scott Harrington still unavailable.
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It was a familiar story for the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, who were competitive and had opportunities for success, but Alex Burmistrov’s goal with 2:05 left in regulation and a Bryan Little empty netter handed the Winnipeg Jets a 4-2 victory at Air Canada Center.
P.A. Parenteau and Leo Komarov scored for Toronto and James Reimer made 30 saves on the night, but the Leafs were outmuscled by the bigger and more aggressive Jets and tailed off offensively in the second half of the game.
Fourth liner Michael Grabner was sent flying by a couple body checks, but the most noticeable victim was Toronto center Nazem Kadri, who was slammed into the bench by Winnipeg defenseman Mark Stuart on the play that led to Komarov’s tying goal and a bit worse for wear after attempting to hit Jets blueliner Dustin Byfuglien.
“On that hit I threw on Byfuglien, I thought my sternum collapsed. I wasn’t really quite sure what was going on,… Kadri said reporters after the game. “That’s what days off are for.…
The Jets appeared to have a significant advantage with Byfuglien, Adam Lowry, Jacob Trouba and Mark Scheifele throwing their weight around and as the Leafs progress through their rebuild, adding players with size to compliment the skills of William Nylander and Mitch Marner will need to be on the agenda.
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