GDT: Leafs at Bruins (7 p.m., CBC)

by Alec Brownscombe on December 3, 2011 in Game Day - 774 Comments

Photo: sportsnet.ca

Some might say the Leafs are casting Reimer in the fire by returning him to the crease against the Boston Bruins. Then again, the standards are low – if the Bruins score less than six, we’re making progress against these guys.

Further, it makes more than a little sense given Reimer has a 3-1 career record against the Bruins, and the Leafs could use any boost they can get against a team they’ve had no answers for this season.

The Leafs did themselves no favours on Wednesday by giving up seven powerplay opportunities to the league’s best team. If there’s any reason for hope, it’s that the Leafs played their best game against the Bruins so far, and if it wasn’t for the penalty parade and an empty netter, the game could’ve gone either way. It was the first game in which the Leafs made inroads offensively, using their speed and skill to control the play for significant spells. Hopefully they can build on that tonight while limiting the defensive miscues and penalties taken.

Said Bruins head coach Claude Julien after Wednesday’s game:

“They’re a legit good team. I think the reason we’ve been successful is we’ve never lost respect for them and we come prepared to play them.”

That’s right, the only reason they beat us so bad is because they respect us so much.

No word on the lineup tonight outside of Reimer’s inclusion. Tuukka Rask will start for the Bruins. Check the comment thread below for official lineups.

Print article