This is what Alain Vigneault’s decision to stick with Cam Talbot in goal for Monday night’s match at the Garden against the Jets wrought: the need for the Rangers coach to state that Henrik Lundqvist “is definitely the No. 1 goaltender on the team.”
What’s next? The need for someone to state that Christmas this year falls on Dec. 25?
Talbot, who will be starting his second straight after defeating the Canucks 5-2 on Saturday, has won his last six starts (1.48 GAA, .946 save pct.) while Lundqvist has gone 2-5 in his last seven (2.58, .917).
“Hank is definitely the No. 1 goaltender on the team,” said Vigneault, whose 14-13-0 club is seeking to go two games over. 500 for the first time this season. “He has proven over the years that he’s one of the best, if not the best, in the NHL, but I felt it best to go with Talbot for [this] game.
“Cam is playing extremely well right now, he has a lot of confidence in his ability. For [this] game, I think it’s the right call. The only thing on my mind is [this game],” the coach said when asked about his goaltending rotation going forward. “For me, it’s about trying to win one game.”
Vigneault, who told the goaltenders of his decision at the skate after texting Talbot on Sunday to “be ready,” said Lundqvist was “not happy” with the call.
“He’s one of the highest competitors I’ve seen in this game,” the coach said. “He wants to play every game.”
Lundqvist, who has been uncharacteristically inconsistent in playing through the first part of the walk year of his contract, admitted he was not happy, but expressed supported for the coach’s decision.
“I’ve been here for [nine] years and have I ever been happy on the bench? I don’t think so,” said Lundqvist, who hasn’t been a healthy backup in consecutive games in almost three years, since Feb. 5-7, 2011. “That being said, Cam is playing really well, and I see this as a great opportunity for me to have a couple of hard practices to work on my game and get ready for my next start.
“This game is not about what you did last year or the last eight years,” said The King, 8-11-0 overall with a 2.51 GAA and .917 save percentage. “It’s about now. This was [the coach’s] decision to do what is best for [this game] and I support that. I try to see the positive in everything.
“I will use this as a challenge to reach a top level. I’m not satisfied with being OK. I want to be great. I need to push myself even harder.”
Lundqvist, who is eligible to become a free agent on July 1, refused to discuss the status of his contract talks, though he did say his lack of a contract extension had not been a distraction. The Rangers and the goaltender are believed separated by essentially as wide a gulf now as they were in September.
Vigneault, who had the uncomfortable responsibility last year in Vancouver of juggling Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo, repeatedly refused to be drawn into a discussion of how this decision fits into any larger picture.
At one point, the coach responded to probing by glancing over his shoulder at the backdrop behind the podium from where he was speaking and then asking, “Does it say I’m a rookie back here?”
Talbot, recalled from the AHL Whale on Oct. 20, has allowed two goals or fewer in all seven of his NHL starts. He is the first goaltender in franchise history to begin his career on such a run, and the first netminder to begin his NHL career on such a streak since the Bruins’ Frank Brimsek, Mr. Zero himself, went 12 straight in 1938-39.
Though this is his first NHL season, Talbot is not considered a rookie because he reached his 26th birthday in May, before the Sept. 15 eligibility deadline.
“I look at this as another opportunity to go out and play behind the guys,” said Talbot, who made his debut in a 2-1 loss in Philadelphia on Oct. 24. “The first few games I was a little nervous and was trying to make a good impression, but I’m getting more confident as I become more comfortable.”
Lundqvist, who had previously worked with Kevin Weekes, Steve Valiquette, Chad Johnson, Alex Auld and Martin Biron as his backups, said he has been impressed by Talbot, who attended his first Rangers’ training camp in 2010.
“He looks a lot faster and more patient this year,” Lundqvist said. “He’s been good every year I’ve seen him at camp, so I’m not really surprised.
“He has a lot of confidence. He’s been really solid out there. It’s good for the team.”
Lundqvist said he doesn’t feel he’s far from his top form, but that he needs to improve his in-game focus.
“It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last that I’m going through a stretch where I feel I can play better,” he said. “I feel I’m doing a lot of good things, but I’ve been a little up and down. If I make one mistake, that’s what I remember and sometimes it’s one mistake too many.
“I’m not going to make too big of a deal about this, but this is a good challenge for me to reach my full potential,” Lundqvist said. “I’m not going to be happy playing solid. I want to be great.”
The Rangers follow their game against the Jets with a match in Buffalo on Thursday. Vigneault refrained from naming a starter against the Sabres and Lundqvist would not venture a guess whether he would get the assignment.
“I’ll take it day by day. I’m not going to predict. It’s up to the coach,” said the Rangers’ No. 1 goaltender.