TORONTO - James Reimer's 2014 pre-season debut went like many of his previous starts with the Toronto Maple Leafs during happier times.
The Leafs were out-shot and forced Reimer to keep them in it, and the goaltender was up the task in his half of Wednesday night's split-squad game against the Ottawa Senators at Air Canada Centre. Reimer had a perfect showing with 18 saves, though the Leafs coughed up the lead before losing 4-3 in a shootout.
Reimer played the game's first 30 minutes 14 seconds and withstood a shot disadvantage of 18-9 before giving way to Christopher Gibson. When shown on video screens with his stats from the night, Reimer received some nice applause from the tepid exhibition crowd.
Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner (power play) and James van Riemsdyk scored for the Leafs, who iced one team in Toronto and another against the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The Senators won that game 3-2 as Bobby Ryan scored twice.
Shane Prince, Alex Chiasson (short-handed) and Ryan Dzingel had the Senators' goals in Toronto. Robin Lehner played the entire game for Ottawa and stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced in regulation and overtime.
Milan Michalek had the shootout winner.
Lehner is expected to be Craig Anderson's backup with the Senators again this season, and a similar thing could be said of Reimer. Jonathan Bernier emerged as the No. 1 goaltender last year, and though coach Randy Carlyle continued to call them "1A and 1B" in training camp, few believe it's actually that close.
But Reimer is determined to compete with Bernier, who's coming off sports hernia surgery and a couple of injuries that ended his 2013-14 season. Reimer, 26, signed a two-year deal as a restricted free agent over the summer.
Notes — Injured Leafs forwards Tyler Bozak and David Clarkson practised Wednesday and could play Friday at the Buffalo Sabres. ... First-round pick William Nylander, who scored Tuesday night, was held off the score sheet in his second career pre-season game and hit the post in the shootout.
---
Follow @SWhyno on Twitter
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.