Max Talbot was in the house Monday night to watch his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, take Game 1 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.
Talbot played a key role in Pittsburgh’s most recent Stanley Cup title, scoring twice in Game 7 to power the Penguins past the Detroit Red Wings back in 2009.
With the 32-year-old’s NHL career now likely over — he’s set to take his talents to Russia next season after signing with KHL club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl last week — the Pens welcomed him back to Consol Energy Center and honored him with a video tribute during the opener of their series with the Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks.
Talbot spent more than half of his NHL career in Pittsburgh, playing six seasons with the Penguins before going on to stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins. The veteran forward played in 38 games for the Bruins this season, tallying two goals (including one against the Penguins) and five assists.
“Being here today, walking the street and feeling the love and feeling that I was a part of something very special in this town,” Talbot told the Penguins’ official website. “I knew deep down I was always going to be a Penguin down to my bones.”
The Penguins beat the Sharks 3-2 in Game 1 on a late goal by Nick Bonino.
