Derek Lalonde names Cam Talbot his team's starting goaltender for Saturday's game against the Predators, after Talbot relieved Ville Husso in last night's season opener
Among the foremost disappoints from Thursday night's regular season opener for the Detroit Red Wings (and there are a few candidates) was goaltending. As my colleague Connor Earegood wrote this morning, Detroit's "hot hand" approach ran into a rather foundational problem when all available hands seemed cold.
The problem started with Ville Husso who, after an excellent pre-season, reverted to last year's questionable form and gave up four goals in not quite 26 minutes of hockey. Cam Talbot came on in relief, making 12 saves on 14 shots, but not exactly steadying the ship. As Connor put it:
"Cam Talbot, the goaltender signed to be the most proven starter of the three goalies on roster, came in to relieve Husso, but his performance didn’t alleviate the concerns. In 27 minutes and facing as many shots, Talbot let in two goals — three, if you count a Penguins goal overturned due to a challenge for a hand pass. Even with the caveat of having no warm up on an unplanned appearance, Talbot still didn’t answer the call."
Now, as the Red Wings look to rebound Saturday night, again on home ice, against the Predators, it will be Talbot who mans the crease, per coach Derek Lalonde after today's practice. He did not say whether Husso or Alex Lyon would serve as back up.