Taking hockey

James Reimer has developed a special relationship with the Leafs’ goalie coach, and it’s leading to success on the ice.

• Throughout James Reimer’s tenure as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he’s worked with three goaltending coaches.

First there was François Allaire, a coach renowned for his work in Anaheim with Jean- Sébastien Giguère ( they worked together in Toronto, too) and Jonas Hiller. Allaire’s style of goaltending focused on blocking and butterfly positioning and it was very strict. It didn’t allow any room for deviation.

Allaire and the Maple Leafs had a very public and acrimonious falling out in 2012. Rick St. Croix was brought in to replace him shortly after.

St. Croix was different. He coached by focusing on each goaltender’s individual strengths. He wasn’t as strict in what was and wasn’t allowed from a technical standpoint.

One day after the Maple Leafs’ disastrous 2014-15 campaign, St. Croix was axed along with the entire coaching staff, the general manager and a plethora of scouts.

Steve Briere was brought in to work with Reimer and Jonathan Bernier.

On the ice, there is a lot of coaching done. Both goalies have routinely been among the first players to hit the ice just before practice is scheduled to begin. Briere works on positioning and getting to the spot with athleticism.

But there is a unique bond forming with Briere and Reimer.

In games where Reimer has started, Briere is commonly seen in the dressing room when the doors are opened for media to get post- game reaction. Briere is immediately giving feedback to Reimer as the two discuss flashpoints from the game. The feedback is immediate and such discussion so soon after a game is not commonly seen.

“It’s kind of hard to explain. It’s more like you are going over the emotions of a game,” said Reimer of the routine. “There’s always one or two plays that will kind of bug you or were really good. So he’s kind of there to tell you ‘ good job, things are going well,’ you know what I mean? It’s not even so much critiquing, it’s more like going over it friend- to- friend. Just chatting about how she went.”

The post- game meeting isn’t typically the same with Bernier.

“Me and James are totally different, I think James likes to talk more with him and get a feel ( for what’s going on) where I’m more on my own,” said Bernier. “I think he’s done a good job to adjust for both of us.”

Reimer has been on a roll during the month of November, having gone 6-2- 3 with a save percentage of .949 and a goals- against average of 1.68. With Reimer starting in 11 of the last 12 games, the post- game meetings with the coach have become routine.

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever had with a goalie coach before,” said Reimer. “Sometimes there are times you would talk right after but not to this extent, that’s for sure.”

The level of support Reimer is getting could also explain his recent ability to overcome letting in a bad goal. In previous seasons, letting such a goal would only serve to undo his confidence. In this current stretch, Reimer has let in some ugly goals, but has been able to overcome them.

The Leafs returned to practice on Friday after a day off and Reimer was back on the ice after leaving practice with a lower- body injury last Tuesday. His status for Saturday’s home game against the Washington Capitals is still uncertain.

“Anytime you get a little banged up, it’s just a progression,” said Reimer of his injury. “We’ll see how she feels tomorrow. Just got to make sure everything’s all good to go.”

Leafs head coach Mike Babcock was more confident about his starting goaltender’s status. “I sure think so,” said Babcock about Reimer’s availability. “I mean, we wouldn’t let him go down on the one drill but other than that, yeah, he’s going to play.”