The last time Cam Talbot faced the Winnipeg Jets he turned in one of his best performances of the season. Illness will force him into the backup role Saturday night while rookie Laurent Brossoit is set to make his second career start.
Brossoit started one game for the Oilers in 2014-15, turning in a brilliant 49-save performance in a loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Brossoit has been very solid for the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors this season, sporting a 2.70 goals-against average and .921 save percentage to go along with a 14-8-3 record in 26 appearances.
Talbot was absent from Oilers practice Saturday morning due to illness. He is expected to be ready to take a seat on the bench, although head coach Todd McLellan said there’s a plan B in the event the 28-year-old is too sick to suit up.
Talbot made 44 saves in a 3-1 win over the Jets on December 21. He’s 12-17-3 on the season with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
The Oilers acquired Brossoit and forward Roman Horak in a November 2013 trade with the Flames that sent defenceman Ladislav Smid and goaltender Olivier Roy to Calgary.
The Oilers host the Jets live on Sportsnet One and CBC with coverage beginning at 10 p.m. ET.
