Hartnett: Rangers' Talbot Could Cap Unforgettable Season Tuesday Night
By Sean Hartnett
» More Columns
Tuesday's meeting with the Devils could be a memorable night in the surging career of Rangers backup goalie Cam Talbot. The 27-year-old netminder will start for the Rangers in their 80th game of the season at Prudential Center. Should he come away with a victory, the Rangers will clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference and capture their first Presidents' Trophy since their Stanley Cup-winning season of 1993-94.
The Blueshirts only need one point to lock up first place in the Eastern Conference and two points to guarantee home-ice advantage for all four rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs, provided they are able to make a repeat trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
It would be fitting if Talbot helps the Rangers pull off a double-clincher at Prudential Center. The Rangers would be nowhere near their current position if not for Talbot's heroics during Henrik Lundqvist's 25-game absence.
Talbot posted a 16-4-3 record, a goals-against average of 2.16, a .929 save percentage and two shutouts while a vascular injury forced Lundqvist out of action between Feb. 4 and Mar. 26. Through 35 games played, Talbot is 20-9-4 with a 2.21 GAA, a .926 SV percentage and five shutouts.
Prior to Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Talbot was handed the 2014-15 Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award by Officer McDonald and his family. Since the 1987-88 season, the award has been given to the Ranger chosen by the fans to have "gone above and beyond the call of duty" in honor of the paralyzed NYPD officer.
"Very deserved and for the right reasons," head coach Alain Vigneault said. "For almost two months, without our top player, we were able to maintain a high performance level and Cam was a big part of that. This is a team game. It's not one guy, it's a team game. But in that game, guys have to step up, and Cam certainly did."
It's always a stirring and emotional moment when Officer McDonald speaks before the Garden crowd.
"Coach AV, you're going to have to forgive me if I don't challenge the men of the New York Rangers one more year," McDonald said to loud cheers. "That the players and the fans of the New York Rangers are all in, right? Your fans, who are my family and friends – we do most of the hard work in this city, and all we ask is for a celebration in June."
The Rangers' 51 wins and 109 points are second-most in franchise history, only trailing the 1993-94 team that won 52 games and collected 112 points. They keep finding players that rise to the occasion.
On Monday night, Derek Stepan took center stage in a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over a Blue Jackets team that had previously won nine consecutive games.
STEPAN, KREIDER STAR IN OVERTIME VICTORY OVER JACKETS
With 27.5 seconds remaining in regulation and Lundqvist pulled for an extra skater, Chris Kreider batted a pass to an open Stepan, who was able to force overtime with a tying goal.
Stepan again lifted the crowd out of its seats with 49.6 seconds remaining in overtime by following a rebounded Keith Yandle shot and cashing in the game-winner. Yandle currently leads all defensemen with 45 assists.
Vigneault praised Stepan and Kreider for finding a way to battle through and make a difference against a feisty and tough-checking Columbus team.
"Him and Kreids stepped up their game at the right time," Vigneault said. "They had some real good looks. Brass' line was a little bit off. They (Columbus) did a good job, give them credit, they were checking them real hard. That's when you need contributions from different sources. Step's line came up tonight."
Stepan finished the night with two goals and one assist. He led all skaters with six shots on goal and was in complete control at the faceoff circle, winning 14 of 20 faceoffs for 70 percent. The Rangers won 39 of 65 faceoffs on the night for an even 60 percent.
The 24-year-old alternate captain could set new career highs in assists and points before the regular season ends. Stepan is currently two assists away from eclipsing a career-best 40 assists. Should he collect three points in the Rangers' three remaining regular-season games, Stepan would surpass his career-high point total of 57.
Follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.
