After the bomb that we’ve all heard got dropped this morning, there’s a lot of talk that Ron Wilson has balls of steel. Peronally, I disagree – steel is much too weak of a material to describe them after a move this gutsy, risky, stupid, and ridiclously, yet awesome at the same time. Balls of Diamond? Now we’re talking about a proper way to describe the chioce to start James Reimer tonight.

On one hand, this move reeks of abosolute confusion and stupidity. I mean, your goalie has been gone for the majority of the season so far due to an injury you’ve continuously played down as not serious, but in reality, was as close to a concussion as you can get without actually having one. In theory, you ease in a goalie in a situation like this, giving him a game or two to back up, followed by a start against a weak team that won’t shoot a lot. Wilson logic? The team we’re facing is 12-0-1 in their past 13 games. They score 6 or 7 a game when they face the Leafs. And as Milan Lucic taught Ryan Miller, they’re not afraid of messing with the goaltender. Lets start him.

On the other hand, this could prove geniu. What if Reimer puls a Crosby and stuns the bruins? What if he’s actually been 100% for longer than we thought, and he felt this was the best way of bringing him out, by surprise? What if he’s the solution to the Boston problem? There’s so many factors here.

Argh.

You know what? All I have to say is this – don’t expect much tonight. He’s just coming back and this is a situation so heaviliy against him that you’d be stupid to make a judgement call if it goes bad. If he gets shellshocked, don’t go declaring this the end times of James’ career just yet. If he looks a little lost out there 40 shots into the night, don’t start dropping him in your pools. If the Leafs lose this game, don’t start making trade proposals. Now, if he takes at 386 mph shot from Zdeno Chara to the mask and is out for another month, I’ll allow you to pull out the pitchforks.

At the same time, if he has an amazing night, don’t go declaring him the greatest ever just yet. It could be pure adreniline and problems can arise the next. If after a bit games he’s still at his top form? I’m not oppoed to the James Reimer Centre as an arena name.

It’s an odd situation. Just don’t make too much out of tonight for him, is all I’m asking.

Game Notes

The Bruins come into tonight as the hottest team in the NHL right now – 12-0-1 in November. Not a typo – they played nearly once every two days last month and still managed to go without losing in regulation. I can’t even stress how insane that is. I understand that they’re the defending champions, but wow.

Tyler Seguin, who is just some guy who has no association with the past, present, or future history of the Toronto Maple Leafs, leads the team in scoring with 24 points in 23 games. To compliment this, he’s first on the team in goals (12) and second in assists (also 12). As well, he’s first in plus minus at a plus 19. Zdeno Chara has the lead in assists with 13, and Shawn Thornton leads the team in penalty minutes. Tim Thomas will likely start, but I’m going to spare you your innocence and not tell you his stats. They’re too good and will merely make you nervous.

The Leafs are going to have to play a strong physical game, pour shots on from everywhere (seriously, Thomas doesn’t let many by AT ALL), and hope that Reimer is ready. I can easily see this being another loss. If it is? Not the end of the world, but a win would be idea, you know?

Puck drop for this Saturday night game is at 7, as always, on CBC, also as always.