espn
In a milestone performance on Friday night, Cam Talbot backstopped the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 3-2 shootout triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins, turning aside 20 shots and denying all three Pittsburgh attempts in the tiebreaker. With the win, Talbot became the first goaltender in NHL history to record a victory with nine different franchises, breaking the previous mark held by Curtis McElhinney, Sean Burke, and Ron Tugnutt.
Now in his first season with Columbus, the 39-year-old Talbot also etched his name into the Blue Jackets' record books as the oldest goaltender to earn a win in franchise history, according to ESPN Research. His performance drew praise from teammates and coaches alike.
"The guys did an unbelievable job to start," Talbot said of his teammates. "We were all over them, we controlled the pace of that game from pretty much start to finish."
Talbot emphasized the importance of sealing the victory after such a strong team effort. "We deserved to win that game," he said. "And for me to let them down would have been hard for me after the way we played. So, I'm just glad that I could seal a win."
Throughout his 13 NHL seasons, Talbot has won games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and now the Blue Jackets.
Columbus head coach Rick Bowness lauded Talbot's experience and composure. "There is a veteran. He knows how to play," Bowness said. "He knows how to keep himself in the game. He's been around, and he played outstanding for us, clearly."
Key Analysis
Talbot's record-setting achievement underscores his longevity and adaptability across nearly a decade and a half in the league. At 39, he continues to demonstrate that veteran goaltenders can thrive in new environments, providing stability and leadership to a Blue Jackets squad that benefits from his steady presence between the pipes.
Originally reported by espn.