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The Maple Leafs 2-1 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals Saturday was not just a tour-de-force 49 save performance by goaltender James Reimer, it was also the coming out party for winger David Clarkson, who scored the club’s only goal in regulation, hit the post twice and got underneath the skin of the opposition.
“I’m starting to feel more comfortable.… Clarkson said following the game. “When you’re coming into a new situation, it’s always tough.…
Clarkson struggled to get up to speed after sitting out ten games for leaving the bench against Buffalo during the pre-season, registering just one assist in his first eight games, but the Mimico, ON native has found his place on the Leafs second line with Joffrey Lupul and has two goals and two assists in the last five games.
“When you’re getting chances as a player or as a line or as a team, it’s bound to finally go in for you.…
Not only has his scoring touch returned, but the winger was pressuring the inexperienced Washington defense with effective work along the boards and did his best to annoy and frustrate Caps forwards like Joel Ward, something that head coach Randy Carlyle wants Clarkson to limit to avoid taking penalties.
“He is an aggressive player, he goes in and takes the body and that usually draws attention.… Carlyle said in his post-game media availability. “I think that’s part of his makeup, but I’d like to see that toned down.…
Reimer was at the top of his game in his fifth straight Saturday night start, holding on to a precarious one-goal lead while the Capitals buzzed around the Toronto net for most of the second half of the game. Washington outshot the Leafs 19-4 in the third. Reimer finally yielded Alexander Ovechkin’s 20th goal of the season with just over four minutes left in regulation, but held on through overtime and stopped the NHL’s leading goal scorer, Niklas Backstrom and Troy Brouwer to preserve the victory for Toronto, who moves to 14-8-1 on the season.
“He gave us a chance.… Carlyle said. “When you get into situations like tonight, that was one where we needed the save and he continued to make them.…
Reimer improves his record to 6-2-0 on the season and leads the NHL with a .947 save percentage, one-hundredth of a point ahead of former Leafs netminder Ben Scrivens.
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The rumors regarding a possible deal between the Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes continue to percolate, as CBC’s Glenn Healy reported on Hockey Night In Canada’s “Hotstove Tonight… that Toronto Assistant GM Claude Loiselle was at the TD Garden in Boston for the Bruins – Canes game Saturday afternoon. Healy indicated that Loiselle was at the game to scout veteran defenseman Tim Gleason, who has played four games in a row after being out for most of the first six weeks with a concussion and upper body injury.
This report coming on the heels of Carolina Director of Hockey Operations Ron Francis being at Ricoh Coliseum twice last week to view the Toronto Marlies furthers the possibility of a swap of Gleason for defenseman John-Michael Liles.
Healy reports that a straight up Liles for Gleason deal might not work, but if another player were put into the mix, it may come off. Gleason has another two years remaining on his contract at $4 Million per season and the Leafs would have to clear that much room under the salary cap to acquire the 30-year-old former US Olympian.
Liles cap hit is $3.875 Million with another two years remaining, making the salary considerations about equal, but the Canes wanting another player in the mix might mean that they are looking for offensive help. Liles would help Carolina as a power play quarterback and puck carrying defenseman, but the Canes are currently 29th in the league with 45 goals scored, averaging under two goals per game with one-quarter of the NHL schedule complete.
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