Joel Auerbach
James Reimer will be thrown right back into the fray Thursday following his mishap the other day against the Florida Panthers.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson said Reimer will start in goal for the Leafs on Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second game of the Leafs' three-game road trip. Reimer was pulled early in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Panthers when he allowed three goals on eight shots.
Shortly after the loss, Reimer said he already put it in the rear-view mirror and was looking forward to his next start. "It does no good to dwell on it. You let it sting, watch the video and move on," he said.
Also looking ahead is Leafs centre Matthew Lombardi. He said after practice on Wednesday he feels ready to play and is just waiting for clearance from the Leafs' medical staff. Lombardi has been out since Nov. 17 with what is thought to be a shoulder injury.
However, Lombardi may not play until the final game of the road trip, Dec. 31 in Winnipeg against the Jets because Wilson said he has not yet checked with the team doctors to see if Lombardi can play.
Defenceman John-Michael Liles, who is out indefinitely with a concussion, remained with the Leafs on the trip. He is hopeful he can start skating before the end of the trip.
Another concussed Maple Leaf, forward Colby Armstrong, joined the team in Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday. But he is not ready to start skating yet.