McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Nov. 29 – Martin Jones vs. Jonathan Quick

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Tues. Nov. 29, 2022:

Why I like this matchup:

Goaltending might decide whether the Seattle Kraken or Los Angeles Kings make the Stanley Cup playoffs. And I like the dynamic of Jones and Quick both being resurgent in No. 1 statuses.

What to watch for:

Jones has given Seattle the quality in net that was missing last season. Early in November, his outstanding work garnered him an NHL Third Star of the Week award. Jones has allowed nine goals in this last two starts, but his 11-4-2 record is what people need to be looking at.

The Kraken probably need more than a .903 save percentage to do any damage in the postseason. But I like how Jones reinvented himself after being bought out by the San Jose Sharks in 2021. His game is much more controlled than in years past.

Quick has allowed four or more goals in seven of 15 of starts. And he probably earned No.1 status in L.A. mostly because Cal Petersen really struggled in the early going. But Quick is still capable of rattling off some big games when he’s reading the play well.

The Kings know what they have in Quick: an athletic goaltender that can make dramatic saves, sometimes at the cost of losing his net.

What fantasy owners should do:

I think tonight is going to be a high-scoring game. Quick scares me from a fantasy standpoint and Jones has regressed slightly. I would sit both tonight.

Bottom line for Martin Jones:

Take every whistle and slow the game down. Seattle is on the road and L.A. can score. Make the Kings earn it.

Bottom line for Jonathan Quick:

Keep the Kraken to three goals or fewer and I like the Kings’ chance at winning.