Cam Outduels Crawford

Forget the fact that Cam Talbot is now 10-2-3 backing up Lundqvist. Forget the fact that this was Talbot's fifth shutout of the year. Forget the fact that this was the Rangers first shutout win at Chicago since Eddie (Eddie, Eddie, Eddie) Giacomin shut out the Black Hawks on January 25, 1969. Remember this night as the night Cam Talbot stepped out of the shadows of all the ghosts past to make his mark with a brilliant 1-0 29 save night to keep the Rangers nipping at the heels of the Islanders, one point behind and three games in hand.

Talbot on the season is 14-6-4, with a 2.33 GAA and a save % of .921. He is ranked 24th of all goalies. He has more than filled in. He has been tops. He had to be excellent last night as Chicago goalie Corey Crawford was on top of his game with 35 saves, including three big ones in about thirty seconds of the third period stopping Kreider, Klein and St. Louis in a rapid fire sequence. It was left to Derick Brassard to win it in OT with his first goal in fifteen games.

So now the Rangers move on to the Coliseum for a showdown with the Islanders, Should the Islanders falter tonight against the Maple Leafs, the battle will be for first place. You think the old building will survive the screaming and noise of the split house? Should be a dandy Jim.

ICINGS: The T/Birds have fought their way back into the playoff hunt with two big wins on successive nights. They beat Sachem 5-2 and Ward Melville, 4-2 and are now tied with Sachem for fifth place and are two points behind fourth place St. John's. The T/Birds are 11-10-2.

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