Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier and defenseman Paul Ranger skated Monday and it's possible, though far from certain, one or both could return Tuesday for a home game against the St. Louis Blues.
The Maple Leafs have lost five consecutive games, all in regulation, and have slipped to the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their 80 points are one more than the Washington Capitals and two more than the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Bernier has missed all five games of the skid with a groin injury. In his absence, James Reimer has given up 18 goals and was pulled early in the second period of a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday after allowing three goals on 10 shots.
"It's too early to say if I'm coming back [Tuesday]," Bernier said. "I don't want to rush and be out another four or five days."
There had been hope Bernier might return to face the Devils, but he said he pushed too hard on Friday and suffered a setback in his recovery.
Ranger was taken off on a stretcher March 19 against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a neck injury sustained on a hit into the boards by Lightning forward Alex Killorn.
Coach Randy Carlyle said Bernier and Ranger will have to give him the green light before either returns to the lineup.