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Flames’ Cam Talbot Played Great, But His Team Faces Elimination

Although Cam Talbot has played well, his team faces elimination. Did he learn anything from Henrik Lundqvist about such games?

When Cam Talbot beat the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, he had a three-game winning streak. However, the well-traveled goalie has now lost three of his last four games. That said, he’s hardly the reason the Flames are down 3-2 in this series. In fact, the truth is that too often his young teammates have come up short.

Still, if the Flames are going to win Game 6 to stave off elimination, Talbot might have to stand on his head – even more often than normal. During Sunday’s Game 4, Talbot saved 57 of 62 shots in the 5-4 overtime loss. No goalie can face that kind of barrage regularly with any hope of success.

During Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Stars, Talbot only allowed two goals on 32 shots, but his team could only score a single goal and lost 2-1. Currently, as Game 6 comes later today, Talbot sits with a 5-4 record, a goals-against-average of 2.17, and a .934 save percentage during all his postseason play. One would think that kind of record might cut it; well, not so much.

Related: Flames Dillon Dube: Where’d He Come From?

What Talbot Learned from Henrik Lundqvist

In an interesting article today in the Calgary Sun, Kristen Anderson wrote about the two seasons Talbot spent with the New York Rangers as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup. During those seasons, and specifically during the postseasons, the 33-year-old Talbot was tutored in the art of being a successful starting goalie. (from “Do or die? Flames goalie Cam Talbot has been in this situation before, Kristen Anderson, Calgary Sun, 20/08/20).

As Talbot noted during the Flames Zoom conference today, Lundqvist’s “process never changed. He came to the rink, he prepared the same way every game, and that’s what you have to do at this time of the year. You can’t change things because you know you’re facing elimination or you have a chance to eliminate a team.”

Talbot added, “Your consistency and preparation is what got you here, and what you need to do to continue to move forward.”

Flames Fans Wish Talbot Good Luck in Game 6

Perhaps what Talbot learned from his partnership with Lundqvist might help during Game 6’s potential elimination against the Stars later today. The Flames trail 3-2 in their first-round series and there’s a lot of pressure on this young core of players. However, Talbot has been in this situation before.

Expect Talbot, if he’s true to his word, to come to the rink prepared just as he is for every game and do what he has to do to win. After that, it’s simply up to the hockey gods.

Flames fans hope these gods are smiling on the team.

Related: The New/Old Cam Talbot Stands Tall for Flames in Series Victory

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