McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Mar. 21 – Mike Smith vs. Darcy Kuemper
Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Mon. Mar. 21, 2022:
Why I like this matchup:
The trade deadline has passed, and both Mike Smith and Darcy Kuemper face different kinds of pressure. The Colorado Avalanche are stacked and Kuemper has one mission: win the Stanley Cup. For Smith, it’s two fold. He needs to help the Oilers make the playoffs. And Smith needs to prove he can be healthy and dependable for an extended run.
What to watch for:
Mike Smith plays deeper in his crease than any other NHL goaltender. He rarely strays from the goal line – even when the puck is far away. Smith doesn’t have to move far to make saves. But because he’s so deep, the shooter sees a lot of net. Smith usually relies on his quick reflexes and athleticism just as much as positioning. He’s a gifted athlete and his puckhandling can help Edmonton break out of their own zone with ease. Smith is 6-8-1 on the season with a .895 save percentage – the lowest of his career since the 2007-08 season when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
I’m not sure what it takes for Darcy Kuemper to get the respect he deserves. He’s won 29 games this year and posted a .923 save percentage. Kuemper’s 18.47 goals saved above average is good for seventh league-wide. And he’s had shutouts in back-to-back games. It took Kuemper a while to adjust to the Avalanche’s uptempo style of play after coming over from the Arizona Coyotes in an off-season trade. When he’s at his best, Kuemper is arriving early and square to the shot. When his confidence droops, Kuemper will stray from the proper angle. He’s been outstanding in the second half of the season.
What fantasy owners should do:
Start Kuemper. Play Mike Smith with caution. Colorado is extremely gifted offensively and they lead the NHL point standings by three points over the Florida Panthers. Tonight will be a challenge for Smith. Fantasy owners willing to start Smith could see a big return should the Oilers win. But it’s a major gamble.
Bottom line for Mike Smith:
Stay patient and avoid dropping early. The Avalanche have snipers that can expose any extra space available.
Bottom line for Darcy Kuemper:
Arrive early, get set, and stay confident when facing the shooter. Kuemper can get sidetracked when he overthinks the play. That won’t cut it against the Oilers superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.