Friday's game was not the best Wild effort of the season, as they slept walked through the first 40 minutes. Cam Talbot though, was outstanding, singlehandedly keeping the Wild in the game allowing them the opportunity to take control in the third period behind the two quick Kirill Kaprizov goals.
The story after the game was mostly Kaprizov who completed his first career NHL hattrick following Jonas Brodin's empty netter that had all but sealed the Wild victory. We have all witnessed Kaprizov's tremendous skill and brilliance through the first two months of the season, but this win truly belonged to Talbot.
Talbot was signed to be the starter with Alex Stalock back to his backup role. That all changed when Stalock had complications from COVID-19. Kaapo Kahkonen was given the opportunity to show that he was ready to play at the highest level. Kahkonen has capitalized and taken the Wild net by storm, riding a personal eight game win streak and has won 11 games in total with a sparkling 2.19 GAA to go along with his .922 save percentage.
Kahkonen has fed off of his competition with Talbot and that same now can be said about Talbot himself with Kahkonen's success. Having an internal goaltender competition is so important to the tram success and something the Wild have not experienced in more than a decade.
Talbot is getting the well deserved start again today coming off his brilliance Friday. The Wild players know the message is loud and clear, you earn your ice and get rewarded for the results. However the results need to continue or it is next up in your place.
That philosophy has been absent over the last several Wild seasons as well and the new Wild culture is being adopted fully.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!