Reimer adjusts his routine to reflect heavier workload
CORAL SPRINGS — The routine of a backup goaltender can become monotonous after a while. Sit and watch as the starter receives the majority of the playing time, manning the entrance and exit to the bench and sporting a baseball cap. Games can go by slowly.
For Panthers goaltender James Reimer, that was his life when Roberto Luongo was excelling throughout the month of November. As Luongo was seemingly unbeatable in net, Reimer only got the call when Florida played on back-to-back nights.
Since Luongo suffered a lower-body injury on Dec. 4, though, Reimer has assumed the starting role, starting 10 straight games for Florida. With more playing time also comes an adjusted schedule.
Because of Reimer’s heavy workload with Luongo out, he’s scaled back his practice minutes recently, facing fewer shots and spending less time on the ice.
“Your mindset is the same when you come the rink,” Reimer said. “You want to be the best and stop every shot. You just face a few less.”
Reimer has been hot during Florida’s current four-game winning streak, posting a .957 save percentage and 1.50 goals against average. He earned his first shutout of the season when he blanked Ottawa on Saturday. He also was named the NHL’s third star of the week last week.
Reimer’s play comes at an important time for the Panthers, who are trying to remain relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Current backup Harri Sateri has never played in a NHL game.
With Luongo likely out until at least late January, coach Bob Boughner and the Panthers will lean on Reimer a bit longer.
“We’re trying to monitor that and we look ahead at our schedule, how we want to play guys, this and that,” Boughner said. “When he’s rolling like that and a goalie’s in the zone, we don’t want to disturb him too much. He sort of is the boss of that. He gets what he needs out there and he lets us know when he’s had enough.”
The Panthers held a brief practice on Friday morning, only lasting about 30 minutes. Not only does Reimer see less rubber during practice, but he also alters his off-ice habits. As a backup, he’ll spend more time in the weight room to get stronger. As a starter, he’ll work on core exercises but his workouts won’t be as extensive since he has the benefit of a 2 1⁄2-hour workout during games.
“When you’re not playing, you always want to make sure you’re getting stronger and you’re working real hard in practice,” Reimer said. “Obviously, you’re going 110 percent and you’re working as long as possible. I think now, when you’re playing more, you’re still working 110 percent, but you shorten the work day a little but so that you’re rested and ready to go for the next day.”
Reimer also made a slight tweak in his game that has improved his play: widening his stance. He’s not sure which game exactly it started, but attributed the adjustment to film study.
“Going over some video, felt like maybe getting a little wider would help out,” Reimer said. “In the game, it’s a fluid game, right? Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t.”
Reimer jokes that he doesn’t have to expend a ton of energy once he leaves the rink, since his daughter is only 11 months old. (“It’s not like I have to chase them around the house or have to go play street hockey for two hours,” he said.)