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Auld Gets Leafs

After a big, emotional win in Vancouver, the first in 11 years (10 seasons), Carey Price gets a rest tonight as Alex Auld draws in to face the suddenly hot Toronto Maple Leafs. This is Auld’s second start against the Leafs this season, the first was a 3-1 loss in which he and the team were listless.

Toronto has yet to score in Montreal this season, although they’ve only faced Carey Price on Bell Centre ice. The last Maple Leaf to score at the Bell Centre was Dion Phaneuf on Jaroslav Halak in overtime in the final game of last year’s regular season.

The last Leafs to score against Montreal this season are Kris Versteeg (on an empty net) and Tomas Kaberle. Both have been since shipped out to Eastern Conference power houses Philadelphia and Boston in trades made to bolster Toronto’s future, while seemingly strengthening the biggest rivals of the Montreal Canadiens.

The scoring leaders in the season series remaining for the Leafs are Phil Kessel with 2 goals in 4 games, and surprisingly Tim Brent with 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 games, along with Fredrik Sjostrom and Tyler Bozak with 2 assists each in 4 games. Scoring leaders for the Habs in the season series are David Desharnais with 1 goal and 1 assist in 1 game, Mike Cammalleri with 2 goals in 2 games, and Roman Hamrlik with 2 assists in 3 games. Benoit Pouliot and Jeff Halpern also have 2 points each in 4 games.

Tonight will be Habs fans first real look at the Leaf’s new saviour; James Reimer, as he makes his first career start in hockey’s hotbed. Reimer carries a 9-4-2 record with a 2.12 GAA and .934 save percentage into tonight’s tilt. Auld brings a 4-2-1 record with a 2.26 GAA and .926 save percentage.

For some interesting reading on what James Reimer’s future might hold, check out a recent article posted on the brilliant Behind the Net on the importance of a goaltender’s first 15 starts.

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