PREVIEW: Red Wings conclude important two-game road swing Saturday against Maple Leafs

TORONTO -- Goalie James Reimer will play in his 500th career NHL game when he starts between the pipes for the Detroit Red Wings in a critical matchup against the Original Six-rival Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night.

Puck drop for the season series finale between the Red Wings (38-32-9; 85 points) and Maple Leafs (46-24-9; 101 points) is set for 7 p.m., with television broadcast coverage simulcast on Bally Sports Detroit Extra and TV20 (WMYD) in Detroit. Radio coverage on the Red Wings Radio Network can be heard on WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit.

Originally selected by Toronto with the 99th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Reimer is a 14-year NHL veteran who has previously played for the Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. He signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Red Wings this offseason.

“A real professional,” Ben Chiarot said about Reimer. “Found out he’s only the 80th goalie in the history of the league to (reach 500 games played milestone). Amazing accomplishment. Speaks to the professional he is. Great teammate, been a good goalie for a long time. Really happy for him.”

In 23 games for Detroit this season, the 36-year-old Reimer has a 9-8-2 record with a 3.03 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and two shutouts.

“Every night you’re in there, you know (Reimer) is going to give you his all,” Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said. “I think he motivates and elevates our group when he’s battling in there."

Detroit earned a point on Thursday in a hard-fought 6-5 overtime road loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lucas Raymond recorded his second career NHL hat trick and had an assist while captain Dylan Larkin notched a goal and two assists for the Red Wings, who erased a two-goal third-period deficit but saw their comeback attempt fall just short.

Entering Saturday, the Red Wings, Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers were outside the playoff picture – all tied at 85 points apiece and one point behind the Penguins (86 points) for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot. Detroit, Washington and Pittsburgh all have three regular-season games left, while Philadelphia has two.

“I still think there’s a path for us,” Lalonde said. “We have to take care of our business, but I still think there is a positive path there because we got that point (in Pittsburgh).”

Toronto is 6-2-0 in its past eight games and is coming off a 6-5 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. The playoff-bound Maple Leafs own the NHL’s second-best offense (3.65 goals per game) and eighth-best power play (24 percent), and are currently ranked third in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division.

“You’re not going to completely shut down Toronto and its offense,” Lalonde said. “But you can do the best you can by taking away time and space.”

Auston Matthews leads the NHL with 68 goals this season and his 106 points rank sixth. William Nylander (40-56—96) and Mitch Marner (25-56—81) rank second and third on the Maple Leafs in scoring, respectively. Former Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi has 43 points on 21 goals and 22 assists for Toronto this season, including five points in his last five games.

“I don’t know if anyone knows how to stop him,” Chiarot said about Matthews. “All these good scorers, stay tight to them in the o-zone and don’t let them get their shot off. He’s got as many goals as he does for a reason. He’s tough to stop, so just give our goalie the best chance.”

Three goaltenders have shared the crease for the Maple Leafs this season, with Ilya Samsonov making the majority of starts (39) along with a 23-7-7 record, 3.08 GAA, .891 SV% and three shutouts.

Detroit is 1-1 against Toronto this season, most recently earning a 4-2 victory at Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 14.