UPDATE: The Toronto Marlies have signed goalie Ray Emery to a professional tryout contract.
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Leafs coach Mike Babcock does not have many options for who will start in goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday following the injury to Garret Sparks in the first period of a 5-4 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
Sparks left the game after the 2nd goal. Not suer what the injury is pic.twitter.com/yEyVfoLi3T
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 18, 2015“There’s no decision, Bernie (Jonathan Bernier) is going and (it’s a) good opportunity for Bernie.… Babcock said at the Leafs practice facility in Etobicoke, ON on Friday.
Sparks suffered a lower body injury at 11:32 of the opening period on Patrick Marleau’s power play goal and immediately headed to the dressing room. Forward Nick Spaling was also injured in the first period and did not return.
“They’re out at least until after Christmas for sure, but will see over the next little while.… the Leafs coach said.
Babcock indicated that Antoine Bibeau will be recalled from the Toronto Marlies following their game against Wilkes Barre/Scranton on Friday to backup Bernier against the Kings. The Marlies will likely turn to veteran Rob Madore in Hershey and will have to add another goalie on a PTO to serve as backup on Saturday.
Bernier played much better on Thursday than in the overtime loss to Tampa on Tuesday, stopping 26 shots including Chris Tierney’s penalty shot in the third period, but the Leafs loose defensive play allowed the Sharks to come back from a 4-2 deficit in the third and force overtime and eventually win on Brent Burns blast.
James Reimer continues to work with goalie coach Steve Briere and recover from a groin aggravation suffered on December 3rd in Minnesota, but Babcock indicated that they will not push the netminder to get back into the lineup as they did earlier in the month.
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Listen to myself and former Leafs assistant GM Bill Watters discussing the rumors regarding Steven Stamkos, the struggles of Jonathan Bernier and the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs:
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