Talbot Pulling Out All The Stops For Red Wings

It’s fair to say that during Steve Yzerman’s tenure as GM of the Detroit Red Wings, goaltending has proven to be an ongoing concern. Finding a netminder that they can count on, who could play consistently between the pipes, has left much to be desired.

Since Yzerman took over as GM in 2019, no fewer than 14 netminders have been deployed by the Red Wings. That includes a single-season high of five goaltenders this season.

As they fight desperately down the stretch for an NHL playoff spot, one factor that can’t be faulted in the battle is Detroit’s goaltending. Veteran Cam Talbot is putting up a brick wall across the Red Wings net.

How about some applause for this save in the dying seconds from Cam Talbot! 🤩

He helps keep the @DetroitRedWings in the Wild Card race for the #StanleyCup Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/Bb3OUjGQZk

— NHL (@NHL) April 7, 2025

He’s 3-0-1 in his last four starts. Talbot, who has reached the 20-win plateau for the second straight season and seventh time in his NHL career, is showing a 1.72 GAA and .945 save percentage over his past five games.

Goaltending isn’t just about making saves, though. The elite goalies make the timely saves. And on that note, Talbot is also playing a winning tune. He made spectacular game-saving stops in the dying seconds of recent 2-1 wins over the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers.

“I can’t tip my hat to him enough,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “Good goaltending gives you an opportunity and it doesn’t have to be every save but it has to be the saves. And he made a couple of those.”

Red Wings McLellan Familiar With Talbot’s Work

McLellan previously had Talbot as his goalie in both Edmonton and Los Angeles. He knows what to expect from the 37-year-old puckstopper.

“I’ve been with him for a long time,” McLellan said. One thing he’s learned over the years about Talbot is that every so often, he needs a reset in his game. Talbot got that last month when first Petr Mrazek and later Alex Lyon took turns between the Detroit posts.

“When Petr came in and Alex went in and had a couple starts or a couple runs, Talbs had a chance to work on his game,” McLellan said. “He got rested and now he looks fresh.

“He looks focused, his game’s on. So perhaps that helped him. But whatever it is, we’re going to need him to keep doing it.”

CAM TALBOT COMES UP BIG! 🤯

What a save in the final seconds as the @DetroitRedWings hold on for the W! pic.twitter.com/OUy962nXq2

— NHL (@NHL) March 30, 2025

There will be no rest for Talbot upcoming. It will be his net for a must-win showdown Tuesday at Montreal and for the forseeable future, as long as Detroit’s playoff hopes remain alive.

Not only is he embracing that opportunity, he’s thriving in the moment.

“Obviously right now you want the net in these situations, and I don’t take that lightly,” Talbot said. “This is the time of year that you want your team to count on you.

“It’s been nice that the coaching staff and the guys have had my back and they’re confident with me in there. So just trying to do whatever I can to help this group win.”