Rick Bowness just confirmed that Cam Talbot will start in net for the Blue Jackets tonight against the Panthers, per beat reporter Doug Plagens.
Florida has not announced its starter yet, and the Panthers arrive in Columbus looking for an answer after a rough Sunday in Boston.
Brian Hedger saw this coming this morning. He noted that Talbot skipped the optional skate, that Jet Greaves and Reid Robertson were the ones on the ice, and that Talbot manned the home net in practice Sunday and Monday.
Plagens then got the official word from the coach.
We told you earlier today that Talbot looked set to start for Columbus, and now it's locked in. The 39-year-old has played 8 games this season, while Greaves has 9.
For Florida, the concern is the back end. Aaron Portzline notes the Panthers have allowed 16 goals in their last four games, and they've lost two straight after a 4-1 loss at Boston on Sunday.
The Panthers sit 9-7-2, fifth in the Atlantic Division. Paul Maurice's team has been a .500 road club all season at 5-5-2, and that's a problem against a Columbus team that is only 1-5-0 away from home.
Which brings us to the home ice. The Blue Jackets are 6-3-0 at Nationwide Arena and 7-8-0 overall, so this is a team that has been far better in front of its own crowd.
Can Florida shut down a thin Columbus lineup?
It should be able to, but the Panthers can't count on it. Columbus is without Conor Garland, who is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury and is expected to be out until at least Nov. 30. We reported on Bowness ruling Garland out on Monday.
Garland has one point in 15 games this season, so the Blue Jackets lose a body more than a scorer. Still, any missing forward matters for a team that has scored 40 goals in 15 games.
On the back end, Erik Gudbranson is expected back on defense. He was drafted third overall by Florida in 2010, so he will have a few familiar faces across from him tonight.
The history between these teams is not on Columbus's side, though. Portzline notes Florida beat the Blue Jackets 7-3 four weeks ago with four power-play goals.
Columbus has to stay out of the box. If Talbot gets that many looks on the man advantage again, the Panthers will have their goals back and the Blue Jackets will have a short night.
Florida's goalie call is the next piece to drop before puck drop.
Quick hits
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSChris Tanev just made it clear he doesn't like the Leafs' load management plan, and he said so this morning ahead of the Avalanche game. That's a public pushback you don't see every day.
COLORADO AVALANCHECale Makar is on the ice for the Avalanche morning skate in Toronto, per Corey Masisak. A good sign for Colorado ahead of tonight's game.
WINNIPEG JETSJosh Morrissey returns to the Jets lineup tonight against the Devils, according to Scott Wiebe. The blue line gets its anchor back.
MINNESOTA WILDJacob Fowler will start in goal for the Canadiens tonight against the Wild, according to the team's official account.
OTTAWA SENATORSBruce Garrioch reports Samuel Ersson starts for the Senators tonight against the Capitals, with Linus Ullmark's return on hold.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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