Cam Talbot to start vs. Wild, Av unsure of d-pairs

Cam Talbot, whose last start was a 32-save, 2-1 victory against the Blackhawks at MSG on Feb. 27, the first game after the Olympic break, will be in the nets tomorrow here in St. Paul against the Wild.

Coach Alain Vigneault told the team's website at practice that Talbot, 11-5-0, 1.75 GAa and a .938 save percentage, would get the nod over Lundqvist. (All four writers on the trip had made flight plans before the team decided to hold a practice Wednesday afternoon in Carolina).

Six of Talbot's wins have come immediately following a Rangers' loss.

Lundqvist presumably will return Friday against the Jets in Winnipeg, although Talbot has played in consecutive games three times, once when Lundqvist was injured in late October. Talbot allowed four goals in a loss to the Jets at home on Dec. 2.

Vigneault also said that he was unsure which six defensemen would dress against the Wild.  Everyone struggled against the 'Canes, and Raphael Diaz, acquired from Vancouver last Wednesday, skated with John Moore, and Kevin Klein skated with Justin Falk. The latter hasn't played in 2014. 

With both Brad Richards and Mats Zuccarello given maintenance days, Vigneault called it a good opportunity to see Diaz on the second PP pairing.

Because the two forwards were missing, the lines were mixed and it was unclear if Vigneault intended to juggled the trios Thursday.  The club is scheduled to skate Thursday morning at Xcel Energy Center.