Reimer not fit to play, Bibeau called up, Bernier to start

It looks like Jonathan Bernier will get one more chance redeem himself before the end of 2015, despite certain people insisting otherwise literally seconds earlier. James Reimer, as it turns out, is not ready to play tonight, leaving Bernier to start and Antoine Bibeau, who has been recalled on an emergency basis, to back him up.

According to Sportsnet’s Christine Simpson, Reimer experienced “tightness” during last night’s game, which he took part in from the bench as Bernier’s backup. Bernier’s night wasn’t one that went particularly well, and he allowed six goals on fifteen shots against. Tonight, he’ll be hoping to improve on that, and preferably, his last start against the Penguins, in which he allowed four of 32 in a loss where fellow Quebecois Marc-Andre Fleury posted a Halloween shutout.

Bibeau played last night for the Toronto Marlies, allowing 2 goals on 30 shots against the Lake Erie Monsters, losing his second consecutive appearance. Like Bernier, Bibeau has struggled, putting up a 0.889 save percentage over 15 games despite a 10-4-0 record. 

Puck drop for tonight’s game, which is being played in Pittsburgh, is at 7:00 PM.