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Goalie nods: Nilsson starts over Talbot, who hasn’t been the answer for the Oilers

Artem Anisimov, Cam Talbot

Artem Anisimov, Cam Talbot

AP

Cam Talbot was hoping to “rebound” Sunday in Chicago.

Instead, he allowed four goals on 28 shots, the Oilers lost, 4-2, and his record fell to 3-7-0.

As such, Anders Nilsson will be between the pipes for Edmonton tonight in Anaheim.

Touted as a potential fix after being acquired in a trade this summer, Talbot hasn’t been able to match the impressive save rates he managed in two seasons with the Rangers. In 11 appearances for the Oilers, his save percentage is just .893, well below his career rate of .925.

Perhaps Talbot’s struggles were to be expected after moving from one team that’s known for playing well defensively to another team that sure isn’t. It’s also still early. Maybe he’ll find his groove as the season progresses.

But at the very least, the situation lends itself to further debate, regarding how much the players in front of a goalie can impact save percentage.

For NHL GMs, that’s a debate worth having, because there are other backups playing very well this season, ones that may be targeted to become starters, a la Talbot by the Oilers.

That includes Henrik Lundqvist’s new backup, Antti Raanta.

Frederik Andersen will start for the Ducks.

Elsewhere...

-- Mike Condon for the Canadiens. Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins.

Related: Talbot knows he has a ‘great opportunity’ with Oilers