McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Feb. 13 – Jacob Markstrom vs. Mads Sogaard

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Mon. Feb. 13, 2023:

Why I like this matchup:

Markstrom was solid Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing two goals on 23 shots and earning his first victory in over a month. Will that game be a catalyst for the Flames netminder?

I’m also curious to see how Mads Sogaard fares in net for the Senators. With Anton Forsberg and Cam Talbot both sidelined with injury, the 6-foot-7 Dane will be busy for Ottawa.

What to watch for:

Size and mobility. Markstrom plays with more athleticism than most would expect from someone who stands 6-foot-6. But Sogaard – from my limited viewing – prefers to be more reserved in the crease.

Here’s where it becomes difficult to gauge a rookie netminder like Sogaard: his game is evolving. It could be different than the last time he was seen in the NHL. Sogaard’s season with the AHL’s Belleville Senators has had good and bad moments. He owns an .898 save percentage in 21 games. But his 6-9-2 record is also indicative of the team in front of him – Belleville is at the bottom of the AHL’s North Division standings.

Markstrom didn’t have to deal with many shots against the Sabres, but he did, according to naturalstattrick.com, face 17 high-danger chances. And that’s been one of the major themes of this season in Calgary: chances against tend to be catastrophic. The Flames netminder has an .892 save percentage despite a 2.90 goals-against average.

What fantasy owners should do:

Markstrom has been an enigma for fantasy owners. He doesn’t face many shots and wins have been sporadic. But I would still start him against Ottawa. Sogaard might be worth picking up off the waiver wire. I would consider starting him tonight – sometimes a team plays well in front of a fresh face in goal.

Bottom line for Jacob Markstrom:

He needs to start stealing games for the Flames to make the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Bottom line for Mads Sogaard:

He should be playing in the AHL, but with Forsberg out, Sogaard can accelerate his development at the NHL level.