TORONTO

The Leafs are aiming for a rare feat Thursday - beating a conference opponent twice at home in the same season.

But to get there, they’ll have to spoil the night of an old friend in net. Long-time Leaf James Reimer will get the start for the Florida Panthers, after sitting out the 3-2 loss at the Air Canada Centre back on Oct. 27.

“It will be fun to start here and hopefully steal two points,” Reimer said after the Panthers practised on Wednesday.

Having played the game before the Panthers came here last month, Reimer gave way to No. 1 Roberto Luongo. He sat on the end of the bench, not even acknowledged by the in-house camera. This time, the 10th-ranked Leaf goalie in career games played will at least get a pre-game introduction.

“You’re sitting there remembering the times that this or that happened, this game or that game,” Reimer said of coming to the ACC as a visitor. “Hopefully this time we can get a win.”

Reimer was asked if the ACC had any characteristics he found challenging.

“I think it’s a standard, consistent rink. As a goalie, you don’t want anything funny coming from it. I think in my six years, I only had one bad bounce as far as glass and what-not.”

Only once in Mike Babcock’s first season did the Leafs beat a conference opponent more than once at home, squeezing out 3-2 extra time wins over the Devils, a club that also missed the playoffs. The Leafs have a record of 6-2 at the ACC so far this season, almost half their total all of last season and it’s only mid-November.

“We want to make this a tough place to come,” repeated winger James van Riemsdyk, after his first ACC hat trick on Tuesday against Nashville. “You earn that reputation by how you play at home every night.

“You just want to find some consistency, whether it’s (with the lineup) or whatever the case may be. I think we’re doing a good job of paying attention to detail. We have some skill and with that combination, it can lead to good things. When you get on a roll, the crowd gets more into it.”

Van Riemsdyk remembered how hard the Flyers made it on visiting teams when he started his NHL career in Philadelphia.

“That (city) is one of the toughest places to play, no matter what sport,” he said with a laugh. “It’s intimidating. That’s what makes sports fun. We haven’t had a lot of success the past few seasons, but it’s a new year.”

Frederik Andersen will likely start for the Leafs against the Panthers.

Babcock continues to experiment with his defence to prevent own-zone breakdowns. After dropping Connor Carrick for what appeared to be a subtle wake-up call, he said Martin Marincin will sit against the Panthers and Carrick will come back.

“There was no message (to Carrick),” Babcock claimed. “I don’t like guys to try and read my mind, I tell them exactly what I’m thinking. Connor’s a good player and we’ve talked to him about staying out of too many physical confrontations, using his skating and his skill more.”

LHornby@postmedia.com