McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Mar. 9 – Jonathan Quick vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Thu. Mar. 9, 2023:

Why I like this matchup:

Jonathan Quick takes over in goal for the Golden Knights, while Andrei Vasilevskiy looks to re-establish his dominance.

What to watch for:

Goaltenders have been dropping like flies for the Golden Knights. Adin Hill, Laurent Brossoit, Logan Thompson, and Robin Lehner are all out due to injury. Welcome in Jonathan Quick, who takes over as Vegas’s de facto No.1 goaltender. It’s been a brutal season for the 2-time Stanley Cup champion, who was traded by the L.A. Kings to the Columbus Blue Jackets and subsequently the Golden Knights before the Mar. 3 NHL trade deadline. Before being dealt, he had an .876 save percentage in 31 appearances for the Kings. In his first game with Vegas, Quick stopped 25 of 28 shots and had a shutout through two periods.

Vasilevskiy has ridden the proverbial rollercoaster lately, with several blow-up games mixed in with some stellar efforts. He allowed 11 goals in two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes. But then came back with a 33-save win over the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night. While ‘The Big Cat’ is still regarded as the best-money goaltender in hockey, he hasn’t been able to overcome the lackluster play of his Lightning teammates. Tampa Bay could use a boost right now, and Vasilevskiy needs to lead the charge.

What fantasy owners should do:

With Vegas struggling to score with any regularity and Vasilevskiy putting together a solid outing two nights ago, I would start him. Quick, on the other hand, I would sit. Tampa is due to explode, and Quick has struggled this season.

Bottom line for Jonathan Quick:

The net is his. He can add onto an epic career legacy with a strong run for Vegas.

Bottom line for Andrei Vasilevskiy:

His last game was good, but he needs a string of quality efforts.