DETROIT – Cam Talbot has won three games in a row for the Detroit Red Wings, but they must be diligent with his workload, especially at age 38. So, John Gibson will return to the net Friday against Tampa Bay at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).
Gibson was pulled late in the second period of the season-opening 5-1 loss to Montreal a week ago after allowing five goals on 13 shots. But coach Todd McLellan said that was reflective of the entire team’s performance.
“He didn’t have a bad outing. We had a bad outing. He just happens to wear different equipment than everybody else,” McLellan said. “We were all part of it. The coaching staff was part of it. And he has a really good track record. We’re confident in him. We expect him to play a lot for us.”
With 11 seasons in Anaheim and more than 500 games, Gibson has learned not to get too high or too low.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened. It’s not the last time it’s going to happen,” Gibson said. “It happens to everybody.”
Talbot appeared in 54 games as recently as 2023-24 with Los Angeles and in a career-high 73 in 2016-17 in Edmonton under McLellan.
“The crazy coach thought they could just play him every night,” McLellan said. “Well, eventually, they break down. It doesn’t matter how old you are. And everybody has to be important on the team. So Talbs deserved that opportunity to play (Wednesday) against Florida after his performance in Toronto (38 saves on Monday). And now Gibby hasn’t given the net up. He hasn’t relinquished anything. He has earned and deserves the opportunity to play tomorrow.”
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