McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: April 22 – Darcy Kuemper vs. Mike Smith

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Fri. April 22, 2022:

Why I like this matchup:

Because Mike Smith has been simply phenomenal during the month of April and Darcy Kuemper just keeps on rolling.

What to watch for:

Smith has won seven straight games and hasn’t allowed more than two goals against since April Fool’s Day. He’s healthy and playing his best hockey of the season exactly when the Oilers need it most.

The veteran Edmonton netminder has battled through injuries this season, and at times, his play suffered. Smith wasn’t able to find a groove. But under new Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, he’s thrived. To me, Smith has been slightly more aggressive with his positioning. And his puckhandling is invaluable; the Oilers are quick in transition because Smith’s passing is so crisp in the defensive zone.

Early in the season, Kuemper also struggled. Coming over from the Arizona Coyotes to the Colorado Avalanche in an off-season trade, expectations were high. It took a few months to get acclimated to his new surroundings, but once he did, Kuemper took off.

The Avalanche netminder has a 6-1-1 record in his last eight games and a .924 save percentage over the course of the 2021-22 season. Kuemper has won 36 times in 53 appearances. Had the start of his season been better, I think he would likely be a finalist for the Vezina trophy.

What fantasy owners should do:

Both goalies are riding serious hot streaks. Start them both!

Bottom line for Mike Smith:

Stay active in the crease without being overly aggressive. Colorado can snap the puck around – his movements need to be crisp and controlled.

Bottom line for Darcy Kuemper:

Set depth early against the Oilers rush. And keep Connor McDavid off the scoresheet.