[December 23, 2013]NEW YORK — Since being recalled
from the minors two months ago, Cam Talbot has played the part as the
New York Rangers top goalie.
Talbot, the backup to Henrik Lundqvist, once again provided the
Rangers with a lift, stopping 24 shots in New York's 4-1 win over
the Minnesota Wild Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
The win moved the Rangers (17-18-2) to just 2-4-2 on their longest
homestand in history, which concludes Monday against the Toronto
Maple Leafs.
Minnesota (20-13-5) dropped its fourth game in its last six.
The Rangers hadn't won a game in regulation since a 3-1 win at
Buffalo on Dec. 5.
Coach Alain Vigneault's team overcame a 1-0 Minnesota first-period
lead by scoring two goals in the second period and one in the third.
The 26-year-old Talbot (7-2) was making his first start in goal for
the Rangers since Dec. 2. He was recalled from Hartford of the AHL
on Oct. 20 and has played sparingly.
However, Talbot has been the equivalent of a stopper with five of
his seven wins coming after Rangers losses.
"Anything can happen, you just have to be ready," said Talbot.
"That's been my mindset coming in here. Obviously Hank (Lundqvist)
is the proven No. 1 and he's going to get the bulk of the games.
"I knew that coming in my role is to play once every couple of weeks
and obviously I'm fine with that. I just stay focused and stay ready
whenever I get the call."
Talbot entered the game with a 1.74 goals-against average, compared
to Lundqvist's 2.77 in 28 games. Lundqvist, who started the previous
eight games after signing a long contract extension, allowed at
least three goals in seven of those outings.
"We were able to help Cam (Talbot) there tonight, maybe a little
more than we were able to help Hank (Lundqvist) the last couple of
games," said center Mats Zuccarello.
Goalie Niklas Backstrom (2-7-2) recorded 32 saves for the Wild. He
gave up a third-period goal to Rangers left winger Chris Kreider,
who sent a weak shot between his pads.
Zuccarelllo slipped a backhander for his eighth goal of the season
at 18:35 of the second to make it 3-1. Center Derek Brassard skated
down the right wing and behind the Minnesota net, where he shoveled
a pass in front to a waiting Zuccarello.
"The defensemen were playing me on the outside and it's a hard play
for them," said Brassard. "Zuc (Zuccarello) was coming from the
bench and they had to turn around. All credit to him, he found the
open spot there. That's something we talked about as a line, to
produce more offense."
Left winger Carl Hagelin's eighth goal of the season, a wrist
shot to the top shelf, gave the Rangers a 2-1 edge at 11:26. The
left winger received a pass from right winger Derek Dorsett and
sent a one-timer over Backstrom's shoulder.
Talbot wasn't tested in the second period as Minnesota managed
only five shots.
The Rangers scored their 24th power-play goal thanks to left
winger Benoit Pouliot's deflection off defenseman Ryan
McDonagh's wrist shot at 16:08 of the first period. Pouliot's
fifth goal of the season tied the game at 1-1.
New York was 9-for-41 on the power play in its previous 12
games.
Right winger Jason Pominville gave the Wild a 1-0 lead at 4:04
of the first period when he deflected defenseman Ryan Suter's
pass at the goal mouth for his 17th goal of the season. Center
Mikael Granlund won the faceoff, sending the puck back to
Pominville, who worked a give-and-go with Suter.
"We had a great start tonight," said Minnesota coach Mike Yeo.
"It was one of the best starts we had all season. But you can
tell the confidence is shaken now, both as individuals and as a
group.
"When they (Rangers) scored the first goal, we tightened up a
little bit and when they scored the second goal, we tightened up
completely."
NOTES: Wild C Mikael Granlund returned after missing 11 games
with a concussion. He skated on the second line with wingers
Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville. ... Minnesota G Josh
Harding, the league leader in goals-against average (1.51),
missed his second consecutive game in order to evaluate his
medication for multiple sclerosis. He is expected to return
after the NHL's Christmas break. ... C Mike Rupp made his first
return to Madison Square Garden since the Rangers traded him to
Minnesota last season. Rupp was a healthy scratch in six
consecutive games before he played Sunday. ... Wild Ds Jared
Spurgeon and Clayton Stoner each skated in their 200th NHL game.
... Rangers C Derek Brassard is two points shy of 200 career
points.
