Heading into the season, the Detroit Red Wings' goaltenders looked like a couple of glorified stopgaps. Heading into his age-38 season, nobody expected anything major from Cam Talbot, so the Wings brought in John Gibson from Anaheim to keep things afloat until Sebastian Cossa proved he could be ready.
Then, Gibson started the first game and looked like the biggest bust of a trade acquisition in the Steve Yzerman era when he allowed a sickening five goals on 13 shots. But since then, the Red Wings' goaltenders, Gibson included, have been lights out.
After Gibson's flop vs. the Montreal Canadiens, Talbot stepped up and has since given off No. 1 goaltender vibes, with a 3-0 record, a 0.932 save percentage, and a 1.78 GAA. The Wings could have stuck with him, but they decided to give Gibson another chance to shine, and the newly-acquired netminder didn't disappoint this time.
Gibson has since won his previous two games. And while his overall numbers still look horrific with a 0.873 save percentage and a 2.99 GAA, in the two contests he's won, Gibson amassed a 0.940 save percentage and allowed just three goals. An elite outing for someone who looked finished following his debut in the Winged Wheel.
Detroit Red Wings netminders are one underrated group
It's still early in the season, and both Gibson and Talbot can burn out at some point. But gaining early-season momentum foreshadows that this dynamic duo is more than capable of handling the unenviable task of backstopping for a team that's still in transition.
Talbot already experienced that firsthand when the Wings skated into Toronto for their road debut and escaped with the win thanks to his elite outing. He faced 40 shots that contest, while the Wings put up just 15. But it didn't matter. Talbot was hot, and he wasn't losing that game for a young team that at least capitalized on its opportunities.
Will the dynamic duo of John Gibson and Cam Talbot keep winning?
And best yet, it wasn't like Gibson and Talbot were putting up gaudy performances against pushovers. Two games against the Maple Leafs, plus a game against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and the defending Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers. You can't ask for much more than that from these two seasoned veterans.
But now, the real challenge begins: Playing against lesser competition but still putting forth the same type of effort that won the Wings games against the NHL's best should let this young but exciting team come away with consistent wins in the foreseeable future. We'll see if Gibson and Talbot are up for the challenge.