Jets at Maple Leafs
Already facing a tough road in their bid to reach the postseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs absorbed a big blow upon learning that starting goaltender Jonathan Bernier will be out at least three weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee. The injury will force backup James Reimer to carry the load for the final four games of the regular season, starting with Saturday's matchup against the visiting Winnipeg Jets. Bernier was hurt in the third period of Thursday's overtime win over Boston.
The Maple Leafs, who will be playing their final home game before finishing up with three on the road, have won two straight following an eight-game losing streak to pull within one point of Columbus for the final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference. Toronto, which has played one more game than the Blue Jackets, has dropped the last three meetings with the Jets - including a 5-4 overtime loss at Winnipeg on Jan. 25. The slumping Jets were eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday night.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBC, NHL Network
ABOUT THE JETS (34-34-10): Winnipeg won 11 of its first 15 games under interim coach Paul Maurice to charge into playoff contention, but it staggered down the stretch with 12 losses in its last 16 games (4-8-4). While Maurice spoke of positive growth, the players were frustrated by the failure to reach the postseason. "It’s been, for me now, four years without a playoff game. To say that’s (difficult) would be a complete understatement," captain Andrew Ladd told the Winnipeg Free Press. "It’s frustrating, but we’re professionals. You keep working at it, trying to fix it until you get there."
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (38-32-8): Reimer stopped 10 of 11 shots in a relief role Thursday, but he dropped his last five starts last month when Bernier was sidelined with a groin injury. “I’m going to take the opportunity and run with it as much as I can,” said Reimer, whose only two wins since Jan. 21 have come in games in which Bernier was hurt. "With four games to go, no one is going to be asking how we get points, just as long as we get them." Nazem Kadri scored the game-winning goal in overtime Thursday - his second tally in 13 games - to give him a career-high 19.
OVERTIME
1. Reimer is 3-2-1 with a 2.87 goals-against average in nine appearances versus Winnipeg.
2. The Jets have allowed seven power-play goals in their last 18 short-handed situations over the past seven games.
3. Toronto F Joffrey Lupul is expected to miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury.