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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. . Although Olivetti, a qualifier, had 13 aces, he failed to force a single break-point chance on Gasquets serve and lost his own three times. Gasquet next plays third-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, who won had 18 aces in a 6-2, 6-4 win against seventh-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France. . The Calgary Stampeders announced both moves on Wednesday. Parker played 17 regular season games with the Stampeders in 2013, setting career-highs in catches (21) and yards (217). http://www.bearsrookiestore.com/Bears-W ... on-Jersey/. Inter Milan ended its five-match winless streak in all competitions by beating 10-man Bologna 3-1 on new manager Claudio Ranieris debut, while injury-plagued AC Milan edged Cesena 1-0 with an early goal from Clarence Seedorf. .J. Ellis have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract. . You can watch the game live on TSN2 and TSN Mobile TV at 9pm et/6pm pt. Jonathan Huberdeau and Quinton Howden are expected to make their debuts for Team Canada.Dewi Morris shares his five key talking points ahead of the Challenge Cup final between Harlequins and Montpellier. Harlequins arrive in Lyon with a large Montpellier side standing between them and the trophy. The threat of the Top 14 side is obvious, with a recent eight-game winning streak taking them to the top two in their domestic competition.However, there are plenty of English stars in the Harlequins side, can they repel the streamrolling Frenchmen? Dewi Morris looks at five key talking points... Coaches cornerTo me Harlequins have revolutionised the English game under Conor OShea, and they will want to send him off with a trophy to thank him for his service. On the same note, OShea himself will want to prove his credentials on the big stage before he heads for Italy. In boxing they say styles make fights, and that saying will resonate in France this weekend. Dewi Morris The Irishman has already brought Challenge Cup silverware to the London club in what has been a quite successful period for Quins, but he certainly has his work cut out for him on Friday.In the room next to him will be Jake White, who voiced his desire to coach England when he was in the UK for Montpelliers match against Quins at the Stoop in November, and dont forget he won the World Cup with the Springboks in 2007. Can Harlequins win the European Challenge Cup to add to Conor OSheas silverware at the London club? White has lured a host of South Africans over to France and will have promised them long-term success along with euros, and with Montpellier chasing two trophies at the business end of the season, White will be hoping to deliver on at least one front.Honours even Harlequins beat Montpellier in November The Round 1 meeting between these sides in the group stages of the tournament ended in a 41-18 hiding for Montpellier, but the Top 14 side returned the favour with a 42-9 victory at Altrad Stadium in January.Theres not much to separate the sides this season, and to make it even more difficult to figure out who has the mental edge going into this game, both sides arrive on the back of heavy losses in their domestic leagues.Quins were humbled by Exeter Chiefs to the tune of 62-24 in the final round of the Premiership, while Montpellier were treated to a 36-10 loss to La Rochelle to bring an end to their eight-game winning streak. Will Greenwood previews the Challenge Cup final between Harlequins and Montpellier It would be fair to say that both sides had one eye on this weekends clash when theyy lost those fixtures, but the fact is neither will be bringing any immediate momentum into Fridays kick-off.ddddddddddddSmash v PanacheIn boxing they say styles make fights, and that saying will resonate in France this weekend. On the one side youve got the French team who will use their South Africans to smash, bang and wallop everything, while Quins will be trying to move the ball around as much as possible.Montpellier have a growling pack filled with grit, and Harlequins have the quick hands and running game that can punish opposition defences when they fracture under pressure. Jamie Roberts looks ahead to Harlequins game against Montpellier Four of the Montpellier tight five are bruising South Africans who will be tough to stop with ball in hand, but if Quins are smart they will keep the ball away from the contact area and force the likes of the Du Plessis brothers and Paul Willemse to run around the park for as long as possible.Tiring out the Montpellier forwards will be high on OSheas agenda.Nick Evans v Demetri CatrakilisI cant see Harlequins turning over this Montpellier side, but if they do manage it, the saving grace will be Nick Evans.Just as Racing 92 have a former All Black fly-half tasked with spearheading their challenge for European glory, Harlequins are pinning their hopes on a big performance from - in my opinion - one of the best ever overseas signings in the Premiership. Demetri Catrakilis has his work cut out against Nick Evans Opposite Evans is Demetri Catrakilis, another of Whites South Africans who moved to France from the Stormers. He has been fighting Francois Trinh-Duc for the No 10 jersey all season, which has benefited the squad.Evans up against Trinh-Duc would have been an interesting tussle, but one thing to remember is that Trinh-Duc has been injured for some time, and has missed the big winning run that Montpellier went on this year. Champions Cup: Pundit predictions Sky Sports pundits give their predictions for Saracens v Racing 92 Catrakilis will be more than trusted by White to do the job but he will likely be overshadowed by the sheer wealth of experience that Evans boasts. Will that be enough to get Harlequins up on the podium?Kicking to the backHarlequins have in Mike Brown a world leader in taking the high ball, and someone who is happy to run the ball back at opposition defences - he is a genuine threat in space.Montpellier have opted for Benjamin Fall, who is an interesting selection at full-back. The Frenchman will also be happy to run the ball back at the Quins line if they kick poorly, but White wont want to venture too far from the kind of rugby that wins finals. Make no mistake, despite the ambition of the individual players and the generally accepted ways of the Top 14, the Montpellier boys will kick plenty. However, when the back three do choose to run, Harlequins will need to switch on. Likewise if Brown is able to break through the middle and unleash his wingers out wide it could be a long night for the Montpellier side.Intelligent kicking out of hand, from the back three as well as the fly-halves, will be a requirement rather than a desire.Watch Harlequins v Montpellier live on Sky Sports 2 from 7.3pm on Friday. Catch all the action for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass. Also See: Sky Live: Quins v Montpellier WATCH: Can Quins win it for OShea? Road to Champions Cup final Past Anglo-French finals ' ' '