McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: March 10 – Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Petr Mrazek

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Fri. Mar. 10, 2023:

Why I like this matchup:

Don’t call it a comeback! Sergei Bobrovsky is playing at his vintage best in goal for the Florida Panthers. The only question: will it be enough to get his team into the Stanley Cup playoffs?

What to watch for:

The Panthers don’t have much room for error. With 17 games remaining, and the team currently four points out of an Eastern Conference Wildcard slot, the deck is stacked against Florida. But Bobrovsky has been a revelation this season, especially of late. Since Feb. 1, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner leads NHL goaltenders with eight wins. In his last 12 games, Bobrovsky has a .932 save percentage overall. But most telling is his consistency. Only once in those 12 games did he stop less than 90 percent of the shots he faced. Bobrovsky is playing with a swagger not seen since his days as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 2022-23 NHL season has gone as most would expect for Petr Mrazek. He’s been hurt often and inconsistent. Which is to be expected behind a Blackhawks team lacking in talent and experience. In 30 appearances, Mrazek has an 8-18-2 record and .891 save percentage. He’s lost three straight. But Mrazek did go on a mini-streak in late February, winning three in a row and stopping more than 93 percent of shots. That’s pretty much how Mrazek’s career has gone. He’s wildly streaky due to a reliance on feel more so than technique. And his aggressiveness tends to get him in trouble.

What fantasy owners should do:

Start Bobrovsky, especially considering he routinely faces more than 30 shots. He’s been winning and making a difference statistically. Although Mrazek has had flashes this season, I wouldn’t start him.

Bottom line for Sergei Bobrovsky:

The net is his in Florida. If the Panthers make the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’ll be on his shoulders.

Bottom line for Petr Mrazek:

It doesn’t really matter how he plays. Mrazek has one year left on his contract at a $3.8 million cap hit. And the Blackhawks are going hard for Connor Bedard.