WASHINGTON — Alain Vigneault sees no reason to break up a winning combination. As such, the Rangers coach is going with Cam Talbot in nets for the third consecutive game for Friday night’s match against the Capitals.
The decision thus relegates Henrik Lundqvist to backup status for the third straight match, the first time he has sat on the bench while healthy for three straight since Nov. 1-5, 2006 — 12, 13 and 14 games into his NHL sophomore season.
“Cam has played well, we won the last two, we had the [three-day] Christmas break, so I thought it made sense to come back with him,” Vigneault said following the Friday morning skate. “I’m trying to do what permits us to win [this game].”
Talbot will enter the match with an 8-2 record following Monday’s 2-1 shootout victory over the Maple Leafs on Monday that was preceded by Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the Wild. The goaltender has surrendered two goals or fewer in eight of his 10 starts in compiling a 1.60 GAA and .938 save percentage.
The 18-18-2 Blueshirts, four points behind the second-place 19-14-4 Caps in the Metro Division, are seeking to construct their third three-game winning streak of the season, and first since Nov. 6-10.
“It’s tough not to be out there, but it’s about winning,” said Lundqvist, who is 1-4-2 in his last seven starts, 4-9-2 in the last 15 and 10-15-2 overall with a 2.77 GAA and .905 save percentage. “Cam is playing really well, we won the last two games with the team playing really well, so I didn’t expect a change.
“Of course I want to be out there, but it’s about what’s best for the group,” said The King, who has recorded shutouts in each of the Rangers’ last two games here, including Game 7 of last year’s first round of the playoffs. “You have to put yourself aside.”
The Blueshirts’ next game is in Tampa on Sunday. Vigneault was asked whether he viewed the club’s goaltending situation as game-by-game.
“I look at this as trying to win some hockey games,” the coach said.