Toronto Star

Reimer’s health matter of debate

Red-hot goalie at practice Friday but avoided some moves after Tuesday injury

- MARK ZWOLINSKI SPORTS REPORTER

The question of whether James Reimer is healthy enough to play Saturday against Washington became something of a matter of converging opinions Friday.

Coach Mike Babcock was his usual no-nonsense self.

“I sure think so . . . They wouldn’t let him go down on one drill (during practice) . . . but yeah, he’ll play,” Babcock said, as Reimer’s availabili­ty from a lower-body injury continued its fourth day of uncertaint­y.

Reimer was less authoritat­ive, which threw a bit of confusion into the mix.

“We’ll see how she feels tomorrow . . . just got to make sure everything is all good to go,” he said.

The translatio­n is that Reimer, barring any last-minute setbacks, will play. And given Babcock’s intensity, the goalie will need to do everything he can to deliver the same performanc­e he has over a spectacula­r 10game stretch.

“Look, I’m not the doctor, I’m not the therapist, I’m not the chiropract­or, I’m not the media, I’m the coach . . . and when they (medical staff ) tell me a guy’s available, I put him in if he’s ready to go,” Babcock said Friday, as the club wrapped up four days between games with a hard-edged skate before meeting the high-flying Capitals at home Saturday night.

Babcock makes points with a hammer stroke sometimes, but he’s certainly not out to put Reimer in a dangerous position with the injury, which occurred during Tuesday’s practice.

Prior to the team’s day off Thursday, Reimer said he was uncertain about practising Friday. In the end, he did participat­e in the entire practice, although he did not attempt some of the more demanding moves, as Babcock noted.

With Reimer not100 per cent, there is the slight potential he will miss Saturday’s game.

“Look, I’m not the doctor, I’m not the therapist, I’m not the chiropract­or, I’m the coach.” MIKE BABCOCK WHEN ASKED ABOUT REIMER

Although there appeared to be some confusion over Reimer’s return, both he and Babcock want to be sure he is healthy. They just had different ways of expressing it. “Any time you get banged up, there’s a progressio­n,” Reimer said. “Every day, I’ve felt better. This (Friday) was the first day after a day off, so you feel it out . . . but if you’re good to go, you’re good to go.”

Reimer’s value to the Leafs is undeniable. He’s had a 10-game stretch in which has earned him player of the week honours and spurred Don Cherry to call him the best goalie in the NHL at the moment.

Reimer has stopped 326 of 342 shots he’s faced in regulation in that stretch, good for a .953 save percentage.

That is the best 10-game performanc­e by a Leafs goalie since shots on goal became a recorded statistic.

The Leafs are also a quarter of the way through the season just five points out of a playoff spot.

Babcock has mentioned the significan­ce of this point in the season, since the wider the gap, the tougher the fight for a post-season berth.

 ?? TOM SZCZERBOWS­KI/USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Injured Leafs goalie James Reimer is likely to start Saturday against the Washington Capitals.
TOM SZCZERBOWS­KI/USA TODAY SPORTS Injured Leafs goalie James Reimer is likely to start Saturday against the Washington Capitals.

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