Lindgren: Another chance to shine

BROSSARD -- Following a trio of tough starts in March, Charlie Lindgren will get a chance to make good on Saturday in Toronto.

Lindgren will have the tall task of taking on the Leafs -- undefeated at home in their last 11 -- at the Air Canada Centre during Hockey Night in Canada.
Toronto's last home loss dates back to Jan. 22 against Colorado.
"We want to give him a chance to bounce back, and the timing is right," explained head coach Claude Julien, after giving the nod to Antti Niemi on both Tuesday and Thursday at the Bell Centre. "We know he's not at his best right now, but Stephane [Waite] is working with him -- not only on the ice, but also in the video room to help him find his rhythm and confidence."

The 24-year-old netminder allowed 16 goals in three games during the Habs' most recent road trip, but Julien hopes there's no better motivation than a classic Saturday night matchup against an Original 6 rival to help him get back on track.
"This is exactly where I want to be, with a chance tomorrow to play against the Maple Leafs," admitted Lindgren, who faced Toronto earlier this season in Montreal, but will get his first career start at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday. "What more could I ask for? I like playing these games, for sure. The crowd is into it, and it's one of the best rivalries in hockey."
Saturday's game will be the Minnesota native's first since last Monday in Columbus, when he gave up five goals on 25 shots.
"Mentally, the game in Columbus was frustrating, but I still think I did some good things after watching the video today," acknowledged the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder. "There's always things you can clean up. I think we worked hard on it at practice, getting some of those areas cleaned up, and I think i'm in a good spot now."

Lindgren was first on the ice with Waite on Friday morning, along with Carey Price, 30 minutes before the official start of practice.
"I'm still a young goalie, and I haven't learned everything yet -- I think that last road trip really proved so. It's kind of my first taste of adversity in the NHL," concluded Lindgren, who began his NHL career with five straight wins. "Now I've got to go and handle business the right way. It's all about working hard, and competing every single day to keep getting better."