Maple Leafs Turn Back To Bernier Against Kings
KINGS (20-9-2) at MAPLE LEAFS (10-13-7)
TV: CBC- FS-W
Season Series: The Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings each won a home game last season. Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul scored the lone shootout goal in a 4-3 win at Air Canada Centre on Dec. 14, 2014; Kings forward Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win at Staples Center on Jan. 12, 2015.
Kings Team Scope: Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, known as "That '70s Line," were reunited at practice Friday. This is the finale of a six-game road trip for Los Angeles, which improved to 3-1-1 with a 3-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. The Kings get a home game Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks, then go right back on the road for four games following the Christmas break. "They've managed it," coach Darryl Sutter told LA Kings Insider. "The toughest part was the earliest part of the trip, for sure. For sure, it's not the end of it." Goalie Jonathan Quick comes off his 39th career shutout, a 45-save performance. Kopitar's goal against the Canadiens gave him a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists).
Maple Leafs Team Scope: Goalie Jonathan Bernier will make his second start and play in his third straight game since being recalled following a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. "We fully support [Bernier]," captain Dion Phaneuf told the Maple Leafs website Friday. "We're going to get one for [Bernier] here and we're going to turn it around for him." Toronto has lost consecutive 5-4 games in overtime to the Tampa Bay Lightning and San Jose Sharks. Bernier relieved Garret Sparks against the Sharks on Thursday after Sparks sustained a lower-body injury that coach Mike Babcock told The Canadian Press will sideline the goaltender until after Christmas. Goalie James Reimer is making progress in his recovery from a groin injury but is not ready to return. Goalie Antoine Bibeau will be recalled to back up Bernier. Forward Nick Spaling sustained an upper-body injury against the Sharks and also is out until after Christmas.
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