McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Jan. 14 – Ville Husso vs. Elvis Merzlikins
Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Sat. Jan. 14, 2023:
Why I like this matchup:
Two goalies that need to find some sustainable juice. Husso is coming off his first quality game for the Red Wings in over a month: a 32-save victory Thursday over the Toronto Maple Leafs. And Merzlikins continues to struggle mightily: the Blue Jackets netminder has dropped four consecutive games.
What to watch for:
Can Husso find the extra save? And can Merzlikins reign in his wildly aggressive tendencies?
Husso has been largely what Detroit was looking for coming into the 2022-23 NHL season. He sports a 14-8-5 record and a respectable .904 save percentage. The Finnish netminder is consistent in his movements and skating routes. And while he’s not overly athletic or explosive, Husso is smart with his depth. He’s usually square to the shot. The one area of concern? Overtime and shootouts. Husso has dropped 11 games in the past year and a half that required extra time.
There’s no easy way to put it for Merzlikins: it’s been a miserable season. His .865 save percentage ranks dead last in the NHL among full-time goalies. And what’s concerning to me is that I haven’t seen any signs of adaptation or improvement with his game. Merzlikins continues to stick to his guns and play well outside the blue paint. He’s gotten chewed up on lateral plays, where he rarely arrives on time or square. And the Latvian goalie is sliding into everything. Merzlikins isn’t playing with patience and hasn’t tasted victory since Dec. 11.
What fantasy owners should do:
Even though Husso’s numbers look good, he’s been in something of a tough stretch lately. Against anyone but Columbus, I might sit him. But not tonight. I’d start Husso. Sit Merzlikins.
Bottom line for Ville Husso:
He needs to find an extra gear if the Red Wings are going to challenge for a Stanley Cup playoff spot.
Bottom line for Elvis Merzlikins:
He needs to relax.