Get ready for more starts, James Reimer.
The Toronto Maple Leafs placed goaltender Jonathan Bernier on injured reserve Thursday, retroactive to Oct. 31.
Bernier, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, will be sidelined for Toronto’s games Friday versus Detroit Red Wings and Saturday versus the Washington Capitals.
Coach Mike Babcock has tried to give Bernier the opportunity to seize the No. 1 role, but the goalie is still searching for his first victory this season.
“I’ve got to be better. Every time you give up four goals, obviously it’s not a good game,” Bernier said after Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was in that game that the goalie “got bumped,” according to Babcock.
In seven appearances, Bernier is 0-6-1 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
The Maple Leafs recalled goaltender Antoine Bibeau, 21, from the AHL Marlies on Tuesday. Bibeau has never played an NHL game.
Reimer has started the past two contests for Toronto, and has backstopped the struggling club to both of its wins this season. Reimer, 27, brings a .908 save percentage and a 2-2-1 record into Friday’s game against Detroit.
Another note: Defenceman Frank Corrado, whose conditioning stint with the Marlies is over, participated in the Maple Leafs’ optional skate Thursday morning.
