McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Mar. 25 – Carter Hart vs. Pavel Francouz

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Fri. Mar. 25, 2022:

Why I like this matchup:

It features two goalies that have quietly put together strong seasons.

What to watch for:

Usually a .910 save percentage wouldn’t be something to wax poetic about, but I think Carter Hart has outperformed the defense of his Philadelphia Flyers this season. He’s so composed in net and has handled the adversity of a really disappointing season with grace. Hart has long been seen as the next great Canadian goaltender, but last season threw a wrench into the thought process. He’s a technical savant – almost to a fault. When Hart’s tracking the puck well, his hands are alive. He’s 13-20-7 on the season.

In my eyes, the Avalanche didn’t hit their stride until Pavel Francouz returned from injury in early January. He has really strong mechanics and a record of success across four different pro leagues: Czech, KHL, AHL and NHL. He hasn’t had a save percentage below .918 since the 2009-10 season when he was a 19-year old playing in the top Czech division. At 31 years old, Francouz may not become an NHL starter. But he provides nice insulation for Avalanche teammate Darcy Kuemper. Francouz’s strong play was recently rewarded with a two-year contract extension.

What fantasy owners should do:

Philadelphia won last night in St. Louis and travelled to Colorado after the game. I see this as a really difficult game for Hart. Starting him would be a big gamble for any fantasy owner. On the flip side, Francouz should have a relatively easy night. I’d start him.

Bottom line for Carter Hart:

Breathe. Control what he can control. Playing at altitude – in the second game in two nights – is a grind. Make one save at a time.

Bottom line for Pavel Francouz:

Make the big save when called upon. The Flyers aren’t the best team but they still have some offensive weapons to be aware of.