Montoya earns 1st win for Oilers in relief of Talbot

Al Montoya stepped up when the Edmonton Oilers needed him.

The recently acquired backup netminder was pressed into duty Friday after starter Cam Talbot allowed two goals on three shots in 3:17 against the Arizona Coyotes.

Montoya steadied the ship from there, stopping all 19 shots faced to earn his first victory with his new team.

While it won't go in the books as a shutout, it was the first time Montoya had not given up a goal in six appearances this season, including four games played in 2017 with the Montreal Canadiens.

Help for Talbot has been on Edmonton's list of needs for quite some time, and Montoya's performance was encouraging, even if only at the expense of one of the NHL's worst teams.

The Oilers have one game remaining before their bye week, and it's possible Montoya will earn the start Saturday in Vegas to give Talbot an extended and much-needed break.

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