TORONTO – This was what Jonathan Bernier wanted all along. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Ziggy-Ansah-Draft-Jersey/ . This is what he pined for as the backup in Los Angeles, stuck for years in the shadow of Jonathan Quick. And yet now that hes finally gripped hold of his first No. 1 job in the NHL, the 25-year-old knows that satisfaction is far from being attained. "Things can change," he said, mindfully. "You can be a No. 1 for 10 years and then next day, youre a backup. My goal is not to be a No.1 for a year or half a season, I want to be a good goalie for a long time, hopefully." Just 33 starts into that quest – by far the most of his NHL career – Bernier is off to a fine beginning. Starting for the 13th time in the past 17 games against the Lightning on Tuesday night, Bernier stopped 40 shots, including one of game-saving proportions on Martin St. Louis in the final moments. It was the kind of load-bearing performance that has become more norm than exception for Bernier, who is tied for sixth in the NHL in save percentage and fourth in even-strength save percentage among goaltenders with at least 20 starts. "When I got traded, I knew that was my chance to prove what I can do in this league," said Bernier, who is 5-1-0 in his last six starts. "My main focus was always to be a No. 1 guy and Ive still got a lot to learn, but I think Im moving towards that." He and James Reimer traded starts until mid-December before the crease eventually tilted in favour of the Laval, Quebec native. His performance month-to-month has rarely wavered – .933 save percentage in October, .923 in November, .932 in December and .915 so far in January. "I knew Randy, the type of coach he was," said Bernier of head coach Randy Carlyle, "I knew I had to really battle to earn [the job] which is the good way. You dont want anything for free in life. [But] I didnt really focus on how many games I was playing, I think I was just focusing on getting better every day and every game and it just worked out that I started playing good and he kept me in." Maybe most notable in his year-long efforts has been his ability to withstand a nightly barrage of shots and chances, a far cry from the Kings, who were a constant amongst the NHLs best defensive teams. In fact, Bernier is facing 11 more shots per start this season with the Leafs (35) than a year ago in Los Angeles. He sits a sparkling 7-1-2 when challenged with 40 shots or more. "I think we can still improve as a team," he said honestly of the groups performance. "[Were] still giving up a lot of scoring chances, especially I thought last game wasnt our best one, but were coming out with wins. I think if we want to be successful in the playoffs – Ive been through that – youve really got to bear down defensively and be a good defensive team." Though the goalie competition has gradually evolved into a one-man job, Bernier understands that he is a long ways from proven as a No. 1 starter in this league. But he also carries a certain degree of pride and quiet confidence knowing that hes accomplished what he set out to do upon landing in Toronto. "Its not like I said yesterday I made it, Im a No. 1, I think youre just going day by day," he said. "Obviously, Im happy the way things turned out." http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Sylvester-Williams-Draft-Jersey/ . Patrick Sharp scored twice and Patrick Kane, Bryan Bickell and Nick Leddy also connected to lead Chicago to a 5-2 win over the Devils on Monday night. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Teez-Tabor-Draft-Jersey/ . QUARTERBACKS Carson Palmer (vs Colts)Last week: 30/42, 419 yards, 2 TDsWinners of their last three and now tied for the final wild card spot in the NFC, the Cardinals are worth keeping an eye on. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Tj-Lang-Draft-Jersey/ . Former two-time Olympic gold medallist Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine in both her "A" and "B" samples, the German Olympic Committee said.Two Atlantic Division foes, each with their own playoff jockeying still to do, jump it up Friday night when the New York Knicks visit Air Canada Centre to face the Toronto Raptors. Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to all the action live on TSN 1050 at 7pm et. The Knicks are two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference race. Both teams only have four games left on the regular- season docket. The Raptors are on the doorstep of the franchises first Atlantic Division title since the 2006-07 season. A win on Friday, or a Brooklyn Nets loss to the Hawks, and Toronto is the division winner and also clinches homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. "Weve got to bring the same effort and focus every night," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said after practice Thursday. "Its not something you teach. Its a mindset of understanding where we are in the season and what were playing for." The Raptors have been on a roll of late with four consecutive victories and seven wins in their last eight. The only setback during that stretch was a road loss to the Miami Heat. Toronto, which has won five straight at home, earned its fourth consecutive win with a 125-114 home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The 125 points marked a team high since Feb. 27. Jonas Valanciunas scored a career-high 26 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Kyle Lowry, who missed Torontos last three games with a bruised knee, registered 29 points with eight assists in his return to the lineup. "I was happy to be back out there with my teammates,&" said Lowry. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Dwayne-Washington-Draft-Jersey/. "The guys did a great job while I was out." DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Patterson added 17 points apiece in the win. The Raptors shot 50 percent from the field and 48 percent from long distance. They only committed seven turnovers, but did allow the Sixers to shoot almost 52 percent from the floor. The Knicks have slipped out of the final postseason slot thanks to back-to- back losses. They fell at home to the Washington Wizards one week ago, then fell in South Beach to the Heat on Sunday, 102-91. That was the last time the Knicks took the court, so they should be well rested. "Ive got to get this team in the playoffs. Thats where my focus is," said Knicks coach Mike Woodson. "Thats where everybodys focus should be." J.R. Smith put on a record-setting performance from beyond the arc on Sunday, setting a Knicks record with 10 made 3-pointers. Smith also set a pair of NBA records, with 22 attempts from long distance in a single game and 24 made 3- pointers over a three-game span. He ended with 32 points. Raymond Felton had 15 points and five assists for New York. Carmelo Anthony, who played with a sore shoulder, added 13 points and six assists. "Throughout the course of the game, it just felt like a dead arm at times. Just a tough afternoon," Anthony said. Anthony is expected to play in Fridays crucial contest. These two teams will close the regular season on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. The Raptors have won both of this seasons meetings with the Knicks and three of the last four as the host in this series. 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