Cam Talbot named starter for the Minnesota Wild in Game 6

With the season on the line, the Minnesota Wild will be looking to change their practically unchanging lineup ahead of tonight’s do-or-die game against the St. Louis Blues.

Head Coach Dean Evason has a pretty sizeable stable of players to choose from; Jordie Benn, Kyle Rau, Connor Dewar, Nick Bjugstad and Calen Addison are among those available to the team if they chooses.

It seems that it will be Dmitry Kulikov checking in for Alex Goligoski.

Goligoski has seemingly played well since checking in after the first game of the series. He hasn’t scored any points but was steady in almost 17 minutes of ice time while primarily paired with Jon Merrill.

There are no changes to the forwards at the moment, but Evason seems to be intent on remaining tight-lipped about that group and his choice for the starting goaltender.

Good thing we have Marcus Foligno.

Despite Marc-André Fleury’s acumen – multiple Stanley Cups, over 165 playoff games started, not to mention he’s the reigning Vezina-Winner – but he had one of his worst performances in a Wild jersey on Tuesday. Rebound control has been an issue in this whole series, and it’s cost the Wild at critical Moments.

This decision is more of a “change of scenery” for the Wild, as Cam Talbot was Stellar down the stretch, going 12-0-3 with a .920 save percentage, 2.30 goals-against average and two shutouts in his final 15 starts of the season. This isn’t changing in your backup goalie, it’s going to be your other starter.

Let’s hope shuffling the deck pays off.