Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgarian
I think it was when they traded Smyth that the wheels fell off, they seemed to sort it out 2 years ago, but then Talbot showed he's not an elite goalie and they came crashing back to earth.
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They didn't have it sorted out 2 years ago. Talbot had an okay season and the Oilers had a lot of puck luck. As has been shown by Carey, Kolzig, Lehtonen, etc., one great season does not a great goaltender make.
Talbot was great as a backup in New York. But then being a backup to Lundqvist us a great gig with little ressure on you to be great so just go out and play. It's not like you are challenging for the starter role there. He had a decent 2016-2017 season, but that was only a .919 save percentage over a .917 the year before. .002 does not usually equate to 21-27-5 versus 42-22-8. Maybe it does, but I'd say there's more to it than that in the 216-2017 season. Like a lot of luck on the Oilers part which wasn't really sustainable.