Sergei Bobrovsky was taking pucks to the mask on purpose Tuesday morning, as the Toronto Maple Leafs got ready for Nashville.
Andre Leal of The Hockey News shared the clip ahead of tonight's game.
In the video, Bobrovsky crouches in the crease in a black practice top while a shooter in blue lines up from the right side of an empty arena.
Whatever the drill is meant to sharpen, he needs it. A 38-year-old goalie who starts 0-2 doesn't get much patience in this market.
It's a batter standing in against the pitching machine with the speed cranked up. Uncomfortable on purpose, because the game won't be kind either.
Does he get the net tonight? The clip doesn't say who starts.
Bobrovsky sits at .887 through two starts, and both were 3-2 losses, to Montreal and Ottawa.
-
Bobrovsky takes pucks to the mask on purpose in bizarre practice scene
Anthony Stolarz has a .963 save percentage and the Leafs' only win, 2-1 over the Islanders.
Bobrovsky carries a $7,000,000 cap hit, nearly double Stolarz's $3,750,000. That gap makes Jim Hiller's decision a lot more interesting than it looks.
The bigger issue might be at the other end. The Leafs have scored just six goals through three games, all of them at home.
William Nylander, Easton Cowan and Morgan Rielly lead the team with three points apiece.
Kirill Marchenko has two points since arriving from Columbus, while Matthew Knies' strong start with the Blue Jackets hasn't made the scoring drought any easier to watch.
Andrew Brunette's Predators come in 1-1-0 after a 2-1 win over Dallas, with Juuse Saros at .933. Backup Justus Annunen is listed day-to-day.
Steven Stamkos and Roman Josi have two points each for Nashville.
Barry Trotz's roster starts a three-game road swing tonight, with Montreal and Ottawa next.
After tonight, the Leafs head to Vegas on Thursday for their first road game of the season.
Pucks to the mask in the morning are one thing. If Bobrovsky gets the call tonight, he needs to stop them with everything else, too.
Should Jim Hiller start Anthony Stolarz over Sergei Bobrovsky tonight?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Insider reveals Connor Hellebuyck shuts down another major trade destination
