Maple Leafs' Smith has setback, not ready to return

Thursday, 01.30.2014 / 1:30 PM

By Joe Yerdon - NHL.com Correspondent / 2013-2014 At the Rink Blog

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TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs head into the game against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night having won six of the past eight games. The Maple Leafs thought they would get forward Trevor Smith back in the lineup, but he had a setback this week in his recovery from a broken hand.

"Trevor Smith is not available," Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. "Not the hand, if you can believe it. He hurt himself in the weight room. So we thought we'd have him available, but two days ago he came up with an ailment from a post-practice workout."

The Maple Leafs held an optional morning skate and only James Reimer was on the ice. That means Jonathan Bernier gets the start against the Panthers. Bernier made 40 saves in a 3-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.

"He's so athletic, he's so quick," Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner said about Bernier. "You saw that save the other night. He just came across so quickly I think the whole building was shocked he saved that puck. It's stuff like that that really puts him apart from other goaltenders."

When the Maple Leafs last faced the Panthers on Dec. 17, Scott Clemmensen stopped 28 out of 29 shots on the way to a 3-1 victory. Clemmensen was first off at the Panthers' morning skate and will get the start.

"The last time we were here we went on the road when Timmy [Thomas] was hurt, he had three wins here in Canada," Panthers coach Peter Horachek said. "He played very well. He's certainly deserving and he certainly has done a good job when he's been called upon."

Clemmensen has won his past two starts and has allowed just two goals. His previous start was on Jan. 20, a 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

As for the lineups, here's how they may look:

MAPLE LEAFS

James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel

Mason Raymond – Nazem Kadri – Joffrey Lupul

Nikolai Kulemin – Peter Holland – Troy Bodie

Carter Ashton – Jay McClement – Colton Orr

Carl Gunnarsson – Dion Phaneuf

Tim Gleason – Cody Franson

Jake Gardiner – Morgan Rielly

Jonathan Bernier

James Reimer