Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevvin Allen discusses the Red Wings coaching staff’s decision to go with Cam Talbot in goal tomorrow night vs. Nashville (7 PM EDT start on Bally Sports Detroit/Bally Sports South):
Talbot’s .911 save percentage last season had to be attractive to a Red Wings team that finished at .902. GM Steve Yzerman gave Talbot a two-year deal worth an average of $2.5 million per season. Detroit’s other goalies, [Ville] Husso and Alex Lyon, are in the last year of their contract.
Detroit’s nightmarish beginning against the Penguins wasn’t all on Husso. Despite emphasizing tighter defensive play throughout the preseason, the Red Wings could sustain defensive consistency for three full periods.
“It’s just one of those nights in which could not sustain any momentum,” Coach Derek Lalonde said. “Had signs of it, had some spurts of it, but just couldn’t sustain it. “
The Red Wings are starting the season with a challenging schedule. After facing Nashville, they have a home-and-home series with the New York Rangers, another game against the Predators and then contests against the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils.
