Category Archives: Hockey News

Talbot continues to wow as Oilers wrap up successful road trip

Turns out, all the Edmonton Oilers had to do was trade Justin Schultz.

In all seriousness, the Oilers wrapped up a four-game road trip with a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. Edmonton recorded three wins and a loss on the trip, and they have goaltender Cam Talbot to thank.

Talbot's been a wall of late. He stopped a remarkable 105 of 107 shots in three games on the trip, good for an astounding .981 save percentage. He's won four in a row, allowing a goal or less in each start, and has a .979 save percentage over his last four games, and a .967 save percentage over his last six games. Phenomenal numbers, yeah.

After a slow start to his career in Edmonton, Talbot's been heating up since December. He's proving he's a No. 1 goalie, and proving he's worth the draft picks the Oilers used to trade for him, and the faith the club showed in him by signing him to a three-year contract extension.

Month Starts SV%
October 9  .897
November 3 .864
December 6 .934
January 9 .932
February 12 .914
March 3 .981

"Things are going in the right direction right now," Talbot said after Sunday's win. "I just want to keep it up."

"It's almost becoming routine for him, but I don't think it's easy by any means," said head coach Todd McLellan.

They're almost alarming words to write: The Oilers may have themselves a goalie.

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Sestito calls mugging by Tootoo a ‘pillow fight’

Here's what we know now: Tom Sestito's been in some incredible pillow fights.

The Pittsburgh Penguins forward did what any reasonable person would after getting jumped and punched repeatedly by the New Jersey Devils' Jordin Tootoo on Sunday: He tweeted.

According to The Record's Tom Gulitti, who cites subscriber-only website DKonPittsbughsports.com, Sestito was in fine form with his postgame comments.

"I think Tootoo took exception to the hit I just made. So, he switches sides before the faceoff and comes over to my side. I asked him if he wanted to go. He basically turned me down, then shoots the puck at me. Next think I know, I think I'm at a Tri Delta sorority getting hit by pillows. The guy's a joke."

Tootoo, shared some of his thoughts with Gulitti.

"They brought (Sestito) in for one reason. He's a one-dimensional guy and I don't think he's very bright at playing the game," Tootoo said. "So I knew what was coming."

Hence Tootoo getting a head start.

"He's the one who initiated it all and he knows that when I'm asked to go, I'm going to go. You can say I'm a lot quicker than him or whatever, but he knew what was coming."

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Oilers lose Davidson after collision with Jets’ Byfuglien

The Edmonton Oilers will be without arguably their most reliable defender for the remainder of Sunday's game with the Winnipeg Jets, after Brandon Davidson was injured in a collision with Dustin Byfuglien.

Davidson was in considerable distress, and was unable to bear weight on his left leg when he exited the ice after staying down for several moments.

The Oilers didn't provide a specific update, only announcing that he would be unable to return to the contest.

Davidson, who signed a two-year extension earlier this week, has emerged as a key member of the Oilers' defensive corps since forcing his way into the lineup in late October.

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Islanders spring for 6, beat Rangers in entertaining clash at MSG

The New York Islanders pulled within three points of the New York Rangers for second spot in the Metropolitan Division with a throwback 6-4 victory in their first visit to Madison Square Garden this season.

Johnny Boychuk scored twice in the first period, and Brock Nelson and Kyle Okposo also tallied for the Islanders before Eric Staal closed a wild, seven-goal opening frame with his first goal with the Blueshirts.

Naturally, the pace slowed in the second period and the score remained the same until midway through the third, when Derick Brassard knotted the game at four with a one-time shot on the power play. But with 88 seconds left in regulation, Cal Clutterbuck snapped a quick shot past Antti Raanta - starting again for the injured Henrik Lundqvist - off an offensive zone faceoff, preserving an all-important regulation win.

The Islanders have the benefit of three games in hand in their pursuit of the Rangers, who are now barely clinging to second spot in the division and the provisional right to host their cross-borough rivals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jaroslav Halak made 22 saves for the victory, which was the Islanders' sixth on their seven-game road trip.

The two teams will meet again at Madison Square Garden April 7, in a game that could ultimately finalize seeding in the division.

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Knee injury sidelines Devils’ Schneider at least 2 weeks

Terrible news for the New Jersey Devils.

Starting goaltender Cory Schneider has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, the club announced, according to The Record's Tom Gulitti. He'll be re-evaluated in two weeks.

That sound you heard? That was New Jersey's playoff hopes leaving the building.

Schneider is the Devils. He was hurt Friday after making a beautiful pad save, jamming his right knee into the goalpost in the process. New Jersey lost a huge game to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, 6-1, falling seven points behind in the wild-card race. Schneider is missed.

A first-time All-Star this season, Schneider has a .923 save percentage, four shutouts, and 2.17 GAA. He's a large reason why the Devils are a top-10 defensive team. The club is last offensively, averaging only 2.2 goals per game.

The club will turn to Keith Kinkaid for now. He went into Sunday's game with a .910 save percentage in 14 games. Pittsburgh roughed him up, scoring six times on 30 shots.

Injuries have taken their toll on the Devils. The team's best offensive player, Mike Cammalleri, hasn't played since Jan. 26 and could miss the rest of the season.

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