MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses the Red Wings’ goaltending in terms of earning victories in the “race to three goals” over the course of Detroit’s 6-game winning streak:
“I’ve said it probably for the last six games — you don’t go on a winning streak without outstanding goaltending,” [Red Wings coach Todd] McLellan told FanDuel Sports Network after a 3-2 overtime victory at Vancouver Sunday. “We’ve been lucky enough to get it from two goaltenders, which is a real good thing.”
Cam Talbot is 9-1-0 in his past 10 starts, posting a 2.46 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. Alex Lyon is 5-1-1 over his past nine appearances, with a 2.03 GAA and .926 save percentage.
“In my opinion, you need to have two (good goalies) in the NHL to win,” McLellan told media after a 3-1 win at Calgary Saturday. “You can’t just ride one guy anymore. The game is too intense. There’s volume shooting, so the numbers are going up in the 30s and 40s. The travel, as you can see what we’re going through, is too hard on a single goaltender.
“To have both of them playing the way they are is a good sign but often that’s a reflection of the group around them, too, doing some of the things they need to, whether they’re sacrificing around the net or blocked shots or whatever it might be. It’s usually a group effort. Every now and then the goalie just completely steals you one, but I like the way the group is committing to each other.”
