Bernier back in Maple Leafs' crease for 1st time since Halloween

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier will be between the pipes at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night against the NHL-best New York Rangers, according to multiple reports.

Bernier hasn't played since Oct. 31, when he stopped 28 of 32 shots in a 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's since been on the shelf with a lower-body injury.

James Reimer, meanwhile, has taken the crease and run with it. He's 4-1-2 in seven November starts with a .945 save percentage and 1.81 GAA, and is the main reason why the Maple Leafs are finally picking up some points.

Reimer made 43 saves Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks, and his heavy workload in the third period - he faced 25 shots - means he'll watch from the bench Sunday.

It's been a struggle for Bernier so far in seven starts. His underwhelming .899 save percentage and 3.02 GAA have apparently rendered him the backup despite starting the season as the No. 1. And he'll have his work cut out for him against New York - the Rangers have won eight in a row and are 9-0-1 in their last 10.

Reimer's under contract through this season at a cap hit of $2.3 million, and is likely looking forward to unrestricted free agency. Bernier's signed through 2016-17 at a cap hit of $4.15 million.