Cam Talbot manned the starter’s crease at Wednesday’s morning skate, suggesting that the veteran netminder is set to make his 14th start of the campaign. He currently owns an 11-9-3 record with a 2.79 goals-against average and .893 save percentage.
From his perspective, McLellan said Talbot, who turned 38 this past July, has carved out a career that’s lasted 500-plus career starts in the NHL because of his work ethic.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be around him with three different teams – basically a decade or more,” McLellan said. “I think that Talbs is much stronger between the ears now. It’s water off his back. He’s always been a really fit guy, but he takes care of himself well. His practice habit – he works hard.”
The Predators, who have the fewest overall points in the NHL so far this season, dropped their third game in a row with a 8-3 setback to the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena on Monday. Nashville is led offensively by Filip Forsberg’s 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) and Ryan O’Reilly’s 13 points (six goals, seven assists). In 18 appearances, goalie Juuse Saros owns a 3.08 GAA and .889 SV%.
“I’m not too worried about what they have or don’t have,” McLellan said about the way the Predators’ lineup has played this season. “We’ve got to get our guys going and make sure that they’re contributing to the team.”
