Nothing has changed with Henrik Lundqvist’s competitive mentality, nor the fact he wants to play every night. But the Rangers’ franchise goaltender is happy he has a reliable backup in Cam Talbot, who stopped 32 of 34 shots Thursday night in Columbus, marking his fourth straight solid performance.
“You know me, I love to play and I want to be out there, but it’s definitely a good thing for the team to have two goalies going,” Lundqvist said after Saturday’s practice in preparation for Sunday’s Garden match against the Panthers. “In the end, it could be the difference between being in or out [of the playoffs]. It makes a big difference.”
The only game the Rangers have lost with Talbot in nets was in his NHL debut Oct. 24 against the Flyers. His past three appearances all have been wins, and he has a 1.97 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.
“He’s been playing very confident and mature,” Lundqvist said of the 26-year-old rookie who played his college hockey at Alabama-Huntsville. “He’s been around for a few years, he knows what it takes. He’s been working with [goaltending coach Benoit Allaire] for a few years, and right now, we’re just trying to push each other to play even better and get some more wins.”
The Rangers also haven’t allowed more than two goals in nine straight games, the longest such run in franchise history since a 12-game span in 1971. It helps that Lundqvist has begun to find his own game after a shaky start and missing two games because of an undisclosed injury, and that he’s comfortable with Talbot, with whom he’ll be spending a lot more time with in the coming months.
“He’s such a great guy, we get along really well,” Lundqvist said. “It’s off to a good start.”
Coach Alain Vigneault admitted forward Taylor Pyatt suffered a concussion in Thursday’s 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets. Pyatt was hit by former Rangers defenseman Fedor Tyutin 3:28 into the second period, and did not return to the game. Tyutin did not meet with the league regarding possible supplemental discipline.
Pyatt did not practice on Saturday, and there was no update on his status.
“He’s concussed,” Vigneault said. “So until he feels better.”
With Pyatt out of the lineup, both Brandon Mashinter and J.T. Miller skated on a practice line together, centered by Brian Boyle. Mashinter was a healthy scratch in Columbus, while Miller played sparingly.