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Red Wings Keep on Winning, Sweep Alberta

Detroit 13-4-1 under McLellan

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Cam Talbot Red Wings
Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot has won nine of his last 10 starts.

Earlier in the season, Saturday’s 3-1 road victory over the Calgary Flames was probably a game that the Detroit Red Wings would’ve lost.



Detroit was outshot 34-24. At times, the Red Wings were hemmed in their own zone, overwhelmed by the Calgary forecheck. Like good teams do, they persevered and found a way to come through with their fifth straight victory.

“I think it’s just how cohesive we are as a unit right now – in the D zone, in the neutral zone, in the offensive zone,” explained Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot to Hockey Night In Canada. “There’s not a whole lot of holes in our game right now.

“We’re tightening up when we need to, weathering the storm and potting some big goals when we need to. We’re winning a bunch of different ways now, which is a good sign.”

Red Wings Take Control In First Period

Despite being outplayed for much of the opening frame and being outshot 12-8, the opportunistic Red Wings would open the scoring. Dylan Larkin finished off a feed from Christian Fischer for his team-leading 23rd goal of the season. In his third NHL game, Dominik Shine drew an assist on the goal for his first NHL point.

In the final minute of the first period, defenseman Simon Edvinsson pinched in from the point to make it 2-0.

There’d be no more scoring until the third period. An empty-net tally by Detroit’s Andrew Copp would cancel out a power-play goal from Calgary’s Nazem Kadri.

Talbot A Wall Between The Pipes

Winning for the ninth time in 10 games, Talbot was resembling a goaltender on top of his game. He was making tough saves look easy and was quiet in his movements, always squaring up to the shooter. On the one goal that beat him, it appeared that Talbot’s sightline might’ve been comprimised by a failed shot block attempt by Detroit defenseman Justin Holl.

“I think it’s just reading off the guys in front of me,” Talbot said of his success. “They’ve been playing great and when they let me see the first shot, I’m just trying to battle through the traffic and make the first save.”

He got plenty of help from his teammates. Detroit blocked 23 shots. Defenseman Moritz Seider got in the way of four of them while playing 26:51. Both totals were game highs.

“They’ve been doing a great job of clearing out those rebounds that I’m giving up and blocking some big shots for me,” Talbot said. “Team effort.”

Talbot has allowed two goals or fewer in seven of his last night starts.

McLellan Ties Lalonde

Improving to 13-4-1, Red Wings coach Todd McLellan now has as many wins this season as his predecessor Derek Lalonde (13-17-4). Detroit is one point out of a wildcard playoff spot in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

“I think just the system that we play and obviously he’s a great coach,” Talbot said. He was previously playing for McLellan in Edmonton and Los Angeles.

“I’ve loved playing behind him every step of the way. He comes in, he’s a great communicator, great teacher. The results speak for themselves with our group here. Can’t say enough good things about him and what he’s brought to our team.”

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JIM S CLOSS

Talbot winning games for wings!