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Bruins try to overcome injuries against Maple Leafs

Dec 8, 2007 - 2:16 PM Boston (14-10-3) at Toronto (12-11-6) 7:00 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) - The Boston Bruins will be without their top two goaltenders when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

The Bruins are down goaltender Tim Thomas, who suffered an undisclosed lower body injury during Wednesday's overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. Thomas has been outstanding between the pipes this season, posting a 10-7-2 record with a league-leading .936 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average, which ranks fifth in the NHL.

Thomas wasn't even suppose to be the No. 1 starter this season after goalie Manny Fernandez was acquired from the Minnesota Wild during the offseason. However, Fernandez has started just four games this campaign and was placed on long-term injured reserve with knee and back injuries on Thursday, prompting the Bruins to acquire Alex Auld from the Phoenix Coyotes.

Rookie Tuukka Rask started in goal during Boston's last game on Thursday, but suffered a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The 20-year-old Finland native made 26 saves in the loss - 16 in third period.

Rask, who was acquired from Toronto in 2006 in exchange for Andrew Raycroft, has the makings of top goaltender, but the Bruins didn't expect him to be in the lineup so soon.

Toronto's Nik Antropov registered the second hat trick of his career en route to a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday, giving the Maple Leafs their fourth straight win.