Brophy on Reimer: Return on hold

If a player is healthy enough to dress for a game, then he should be healthy enough to play.

So it is a little puzzling that the Toronto Maple Leafs would elect to dress No. 1 stopper James Reimer, who has been out since Oct. 22 with concussion-like symptoms, but not start him against the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins Saturday night.

“We’ve talked about it, but more than likely it’s going to be Gustavsson,” said coach Ron Wilson. “Sometimes with goaltenders (coming off injuries), you want him to get back into the game-day routine and backing up is not a bad idea.”

Later Wilson added, “We’ve told Gustavsson he’s going to be playing tomorrow.”

Sounds more like, “They have kicked the crap out of us in three straight games and we don’t won’t to do anything that might undermine a successful comeback for Reimer.”

The Bruins have out-scored the Leafs 19-5 in three games, so some might understand the Leafs’ apparent caution. Never mind that Reimer was 4-0-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in Toronto’s first five games. You know, he just might be the answer to breaking the spell the Bruins seem to have over the Leafs.

Reimer was injured when Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta bumped into him, knocking his helmet off. He finished the opening period, but gave way to Gustavsson for the rest of the game. Reimer rejoined the team for a practice Oct. 26, but his return was premature and he was then put on injured reserve.

The Maple Leafs have lost three games to Boston this season, including a 6-3 decision at Air Canada Centre Tuesday night.

Following practice Friday, Reimer made it clear he was ready for action and he’d love to face Boston Saturday night.

“It would be big,” Reimer said. “We beat them a bunch of times down the stretch last year and I’m sure we can beat them again this year.”

Regardless if he plays Saturday, Reimer was thrilled to be cleared for action.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I love to play. This is what I love to do. To be able to get into the lineup – and even to get back to practising – is great. When you are sitting in (the dressing room) during the practices, not only is it boring, it just hangs around you. You want to get back out there so bad.”

Gustavsson and rookie Ben Scrivens gave the Leafs some decent games, but neither has enjoyed the success Reimer has, even if he is not that much more experienced than his goalie mates. The biggest difference between Reimer and the others is, while he may allow the odd bad goal, when he does, he has displayed the ability to then shut the door. His teammates know this and it gives them a little peace of mind.

“He has proven that he can be the No. 1 goalie and he’s been very consistent since he made our team,” Wilson said. “He played so well last year and this year he hasn’t lost a game (in regulation) in the few that he played. I think when you have great confidence in your goalie, you usually score more often and play pretty well in front of the goalie. Fortunately in the last couple of weeks our goaltending looked confident and you saw the number of goals that we scored in that time frame.”

To a man the Leafs will tell you they were comfortable with the play of Gustavsson and Scrivens, but getting your starter back gives you a lift.

“It’s big,” said defenceman John-Michael Liles. “We’ve been battling here for the past few weeks with injuries and guys have stepped up and played some pretty big games. We’ve gotten some very good contributions from guys and that’s what you need when the injury bug hits. Getting Reimer back is huge for us. He’s put up some great numbers in the games he played. The Monster played great for us, but getting Reimer back in a big boost for the team.”

Reimer said sitting out was painful, but it was not the longest stretch of inactivity in his career. In junior he suffered an ankle injury at Christmas time that kept him out for the remainder of the season.

“It’s not the longest, but it sure has been frustrating,” Reimer said. “There are positives to being out, though. You get to see the game from a different perspective and that’s priceless. When you watch the game from up top it’s so different. You can see how plays develop. I tried to take this time to learn the game better and hopefully I can apply that to my game coming back.”

Targeting goaltenders has become the favorite pastime for many NHL skaters and certainly a regular tactic to get the stoppers off their game. Although it didn’t appear that Gionta hit Reimer purposely, there are skaters who will take every opportunity to “accidentally” bump a goalie when they see the chance. Just about everybody who witnessed the collision between Boston’s Milan Lucic and Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller – except NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan – believes the hulking Bruins forward made contact purposely.

So will Reimer be a little gun shy when he gets back into action? When the crease crashers come calling?

“I sure hope not,” Reimer said. “I feel great. It’s not even in the back of my mind at all. Even in practice I haven’t even thought about it. I don’t think there’ll be any hesitation out there during the game. They’re going to do their job and I’m going to do my best to see the puck. I’m not worried.”