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NASHVILLE – Jonathan Bernier has yet to make three consecutive starts in his National Hockey League career. After his first shutout as a member of the Leafs on Thursday evening, the 25-year-old appears well on track to get that chance in the days ahead. Bernier was an impenetrable wall in the Leafs crease at Bridgestone Arena, stopping each and every one of the Predators 36 shots in the very same building where he once recorded his first career NHL shutout. Though still quite early, he is very quickly grappling hold of the no. 1 gig he long desired after years as a backup in Los Angeles. "I trained really hard in the summer and I wanted to be ready," said Bernier of his opportunity in Toronto, shortly after a 4-0 victory, the Leafs improving to 4-1-0 on the season. "I knew that was my chance to step up and show what I can do. Ive been waiting for that moment for a while in L.A." Like he had been in three games prior (two starts), Bernier kept it quiet in his efforts against the Predators, to whom he now owns an 8-1-0 career record. While his team stumbled through the opening half of Thursdays action – recording their first shot nearly 14 minutes into the game – Bernier held strong and sturdy, keeping the action even until Phil Kessel finally broke the deadlock for the Leafs late in the second frame. "Thats my focus," said Bernier. "Just to keep the team in the game." Nashville has struggled to score early this season – just six goals after four games – but when they did pose a threat on this night, Bernier turned it down, keeping their attack on a strictly one-and-done basis. With the action still scoreless early in the middle frame, Bernier stopped all three shots with the Predators swarming on a power-play. Later in the third, he blanked a Seth Jones point-blank attempt with no trouble. "The one thing that Bernie did tonight," observed Randy Carlyle afterward, "he stood tall in the net and he didnt give up a lot of second opportunities. The puck seemed to hit him in the middle of the chest and he controlled a lot of the rebounds. Good for him." Bernier has stopped 113 of the 116 shots hes faced thus far as a Leaf (3-1-0), his goals against average now a microscopic 0.85, his save percentage an otherworldly .974, albeit after just four games. Wisely opting for prudence at this very early stage in the season, Carlyle refused to make any grand proclamations about Bernier and the starting job. One thing is clear though; Bernier will finally start his third consecutive game when the Oilers visit the Air Canada Centre on Saturday. Five Points 1. Odd parallel Though he was unable to recall the night three-plus years later, it was back on Mar. 30, 2010 that Bernier first recorded his NHL shutout, a perfect 34-save showing in his just his sixth NHL start with the Kings. 2. No rebounds Berniers ability to limit rebounds and keep a quiet crease has been the most impressive feat for Carlyle thus far. Of that ability, the Leafs netminder said it was a matter of squaring up to the shooter and receiving the puck "in the chest" and thus swallowing the potential for rebounds. Bernier is working to implement a defined partnership with his new defence core in Toronto, a system that will allow both to work together successfully, "The way I like to play is take away my far side," he explained, "and that makes a big difference because I can take away my short side, which most of the time Ill get in my chest." These lessons date back to his head coach with the Lewiston MAINEiacs – Clement Jodoin, now an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens. Under such a system, as Bernier explained, the goaltender would assume responsibility for the strong side of the ice, the defenders keeping check of the weak side. "That was his system defensively," Bernier said of Jodoin. "I just thought it was so smart because that way it makes it look easy and obviously theyre shooting more in your chest." 3. Top line attack Quiet with just four combined points at even-strength in the first four games this season, the Leafs top unit proved opportunistic against the Predators. All three members of the line – Kessel, James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak – scored in victory, Kessel leading the way with three points, including his second goal of the season. Outfoxing rookie Seth Jones for a puck deep in the offensive zone, van Riemsdyk delivered a strike to Kessel for the games first goal, pick-pocketing Pekka Rinnes smother attempt for a wrap-around goal of his own six minutes later. The newly implemented shallow nets proved beneficial to the 23-year-old. "I think if you ask my opinion on them now I think theyre a pretty good part of the game," van Riemsdyk grinned. "I think that definitely helped me, able to get out quicker and be able to stuff it because hes pretty quick to get back in the net." With their depth dinged by injuries and an ongoing suspension to David Clarkson, the Leafs have not surprisingly turned to their top guns on a more substantial basis in the early going this season. The top unit has received the brunt of the increase thus far. Player 2013-2014 2013 Tyler Bozak 21:56 20:18 Phil Kessel 21:24 19:48 James van Riemsdyk 21:22 19:12 4. Jumping from junior to the NHL Morgan Rielly picked up his first NHL point – an assist – in victory on Thursday as he continues to transition from junior into the NHL. Perhaps no defender on the Toronto corps understands the difficult jump Rielly is attempting to make better than captain Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf leaped from the junior ranks in Red Deer onto the Calgary Flames roster in 2005, totaling what remains a career-high 20 goals and 49 points in his first NHL season. "The biggest adjustment is youre playing against men," Phaneuf told the Leaf Report of his experience. "The two biggest things that I noticed and I think every young guy that breaks in at a young age notices, its the speed and strength of the guys. Its not just that theyre stronger on the puck, but its that theyre that much quicker with that extra strength. Juniors a great pace, theres lots of pace to junior hockey. But at this level everyones consistently big, strong and Im not talking that every guys 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6, Im talking every guy is strong on their feet and they know how to protect the puck and theyre strong on the puck. Thats the biggest thing for young guys jumping in." Of Rielly, who logged a season-high 19-plus minutes against Nashville, Phaneuf said, "I think hes doing a great job. Hes handled it very well and he keeps getting better." 5. NHL Debuts The Leafs had a pair of 20-year-olds in their lineup on Thursday, both making their NHL debuts against the Predators. A third round selection in 2011, Josh Leivo totaled 9:02 alongside Dave Bolland and Mason Raymond while David Broll, picked 66 spots after Leivo that same year, registered 9:19 alongside Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri. Broll also dropped the gloves with Matt Hendricks in the third and final frame. Leivo and Broll had combined to play in just 18 regular season games for the Marlies before both got the call to suit up in Music City. The Leafs have now had five players make their NHL debuts so far this season. Stat-Pack 8-1-0 – Jonathan Bernier lifetime mark versus Nashville. .974 – Save percentage for Bernier after four games. 17-18 or 95 per cent – Toronto penalty kill after five games.9:02 – Ice-time for Josh Leivo in his NHL debut. 9:19 – Ice-time for David Broll in his NHL debut. 13:40 – Time elapsed before the Leafs registered their first shot on goal (Mason Raymond). 39 – Faceoff percentage for the Leafs, who won just 26 of 66 against the Predators. 29 per cent – Toronto power-play after five games, totaling six goals on 21 opportunities. 1 – Assist for Morgan Rielly, his first NHL point. Quote of the Night "Get it in the chest." -Jonathan Bernier, on limiting rebounds. Special Teams Capsule PP: 2-4 PK: 3-3 Up Next The Leafs host former Marlies coach Dallas Eakins and the Oilers at the ACC on Saturday. . More importantly, he is trying to show his young teammates the Colorado are still post-season contenders. He hopes winning a series at home was a fresh start. . Vonn flew back to Vail, Colo., last week after hurting her surgically repaired right knee at a downhill race in France. "Her knee was swollen again after Val dIsere," U.S. womens head coach Alex Hoedlmoser told The Associated Press. http://www.bluejacketsshop.com/authenti ... ersey/.com) - Maria Sharapova reached her 10th career grand slam final after beating Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets at the Australian Open on Thursday. . -- Peyton Manning is the only player in this Super Bowl who has won the big game. . Watch the action live on TSN and listen on TSN 1050 Radio beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. The Raptors maintained their spot atop the Atlantic Friday after defeating the Wizards, 96-88, for their second win in a row.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Calgary Flames have slowed down since their fast start to the season, but rookie Johnny Gaudreau might have just jump-started the club. Gaudreau and Flames put forth a big rally last time out and hope to stay in the win column on Saturday night as they take on the lowly Edmonton Oilers. Calgary improved to 17-8-2 with a victory over Colorado on Dec. 4, but then lost seven straight in regulation and another game in overtime ahead of Mondays road meeting with the Los Angeles Kings. Things didnt look good for the Flames when they fell behind by three goals, but Gaudreau helped his club battle back for a 4-3 overtime victory with his first NHL hat trick. Gaudreau got the Flames on the board with 1:58 left in the second period, then scored twice in the final 2:12 of the third frame with the goaltender pulled. His third tally came with 59 seconds on the clock. Calgary captain and defenseman Mark Giordano then won it with 53 seconds left in the extra period. You know, we fell behind but the guys were great on the bench, they were great in the room and we felt like we had a chance, Flames head coach Bob Hartley said. Johnny is so smart and so competitive. Were all talking about his speed and his skill, but look how competitive he is. Gaudreaus milestone came in his 36th career game and the 21-year-old has 10 goals on the season. He also ranks second among NHL rookies with 27 points. Jonas Hiller made 31 saves while Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman each suppliedd two assists for the Flames, who open a six-game homestand tonight that includes another visit from the Oilers on Wednesday.dddddddddddd. Hiller may get the start tonight and he has excellent career numbers in this matchup, going 13-4-1 with a 1.98 goals against average and .931 save percentage in 21 meetings, including 18 starts, with the Oilers. Edmonton has not been able to show the same kind of competitiveness, having lost eight in a row (0-6-2) while going 1-13-6 in its past 20. The Oilers are last in the NHL with 21 points. The Oilers were defeated 5-1 by the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. Two former Oilers helped the Coyotes to a win, with Sam Gagner scoring twice with four points and Devan Dubnyk making 26 saves. Justin Schultz was Edmontons lone scorer. After Ben Scrivens allowed two goals on three shots in the first five minutes of the game, Viktor Fasth relieved him and made 16 saves on 19 shots. Its going off our sticks and off our skates, said Oilers winger Jordan Eberle. You just seem like you cant get a break. You have to create them. Fasth may start this game and is 2-1-0 with a 2.85 GAA and .913 save percentage in three career meetings with the Flames. Scrivens is 0-2-0 against them with a 3.96 GAA and .836 save percentage in three games (2 starts). The Flames have won three in a row versus the Oilers, including a 5-2 victory in Edmonton on Oct. 9 in the first of five meetings. Edmonton, though, has won four of its past five trips to Calgary. ' ' '