Toronto Maple Leafs Benefit From Jonathan Bernier Regaining Confidence

After a horrendous start to the year and not getting his first win until December 19, Jonathan Bernier has bounced back to be the goalie that fans want.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are on a three-game winning streak heading into the game against the Los Angeles Kings, and it’s all because of Bernier. The rest of the team is playing well too, but Bernier’s change in play from early December to now is nothing but drastic.

Before Bernier got his first win of the season he was the worst goalie in the NHL. He sat at the very bottom of the league in save percentages, and having zero wins didn’t help either. And then he was sent down to the AHL on a conditioning stint to play with the Toronto Marlies. In Bernier’s four games with the Marlies he won three and had a 1.25 goals against average and a .948 save percentage.

Bernier had a shutout in each of the games he won with the Marlies, so it seemed that spending time in the AHL was helping him rebuild his confidence. Unfortunately, Bernier let in five goals in his final game with the Marlies. Whatever his issue was, it seemed to linger once he came back to the Maple Leafs. With James Reimer and Garret Sparks both injured, Bernier was the only choice in net.

Bernier struggled in his first few games back, but something must’ve clicked for him because he’s been fantastic since. Bernier has six wins in 19 games, a 2.92 goals against average and a .904 save percentage.

In the last three games Bernier has stopped 39 shots each game and only allowed three goals in total over that span of games, with a shutout against the Anaheim Ducks.

Confidence must have been Bernier’s issue with his poor level of play, but now that he’s gotten his confidence back there is no telling how high in the NHL standing the Toronto Maple Leafs can climb.