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Goalie nods: Talbot to face Rangers for first time since trade

Cam Talbot

Cam Talbot

AP

Since getting dealt to Edmonton at the 2015 draft, Cam Talbot and the Oilers have faced the Rangers twice.

Talbot, however, was merely a spectator.

The now-departed Anders Nilsson got both games against the Blueshirts last year, meaning Talbot will finally get to face his former team tonight when the Oilers visit MSG.

Talbot struggled early in Edmonton, but really came on near the end of the year and has been terrific this season. He enters Thursday’s action sporting a 7-2-1 record with a .214 GAA and .932 save percentage, and was named the NHL’s first star of the week back on Oct. 24.

He’s established himself as a bonafide No. 1 in Edmonton, but first displayed that potential while serving as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup in New York.

It’s a time Lundqvist remembers well.
“I think how hard you want to work when you come to the rink every day, that’s step one, and he had that,” Lundqvist said, per Yahoo. “Always a great attitude coming to the rink and wants to pay the price. But if you combine the hard work, the talent and paying attention to details, I think that’s going to pay off. That’s something I saw working with him, and he’s a competitive guy, too.”

Speaking of Lundqvist, he’s in for the Rangers tonight.

Related: AV shares key to Rangers’ winning ways

Elsewhere...

-- Jaroslav Halak goes for the Isles, after coming on in relief of Thomas Greiss during a ghastly 6-1 loss to the Lightning on Tuesday. Steve Mason is likely for the Flyers.

-- Frederik Andersen takes on Robin Lehner as the Leafs visit Buffalo.

-- The Jets will continue the Connor Hellebuyck-Michael Hutchinson flip-flop tonight, as Hutchinson starts against the Caps (Hellebuyck got them on Tuesday night). As per usual, Braden Holtby’s in for the Caps.

-- Mike Condon will make his first start for Ottawa, against the visiting Canucks. Condon was acquired from Pittsburgh for a fifth-round pick yesterday, and is the temporary No. 1 with Andrew Hammond hurt and Craig Anderson taking a personal leave to be with his wife. Jacob Markstrom goes for Vancouver.

-- Tuukka Rask will start for the B’s in Tampa Bay. The Lightning will give Ben Bishop the night off, and go with Andrei Vasilevskiy.

-- Former Vancouver teammates meet in Florida, as Roberto Luongo and the Panthers host Cory Schneider and the Devils.

-- After getting yanked in a 5-0 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday, Jake Allen is back in goal for the Blues. He’ll be up against Antti Niemi, who hasn’t been great for Dallas this year (though neither has Kari Lehtonen.)

-- Colorado goes with Semyon Varlamov in Chicago. The ‘Hawks counter with Corey Crawford.

-- Pekka Rinne will look to build on his 28-save victory over Colorado on Tuesday, with a start in Arizona. The Coyotes are going with Louis Domingue.

-- After Matt Murray was victorious in his season debut last night, the Pens will turn to Marc-Andre Fleury in L.A. No word yet on a Kings starter.

-- Chad Johnson gives Brian Elliott the night off as the Flames visit San Jose. The Sharks will go with Martin Jones.