McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Oct. 11 – Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Igor Shesterkin

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Tue. Oct. 11, 2022:

Why I like this matchup:

No need to mince words. It’s the two best goalies on earth going head-to-head on primetime TV to open the 2022-23 NHL season.

What to watch for:

After a dominant 2021-22 season that saw Shesterkin take home the Vezina trophy as the NHL’s top netminder, all eyes are on the talented Russian to see if he can repeat. And I think he can. Shesterkin is now the technical standard of goaltending – a throne formerly occupied by Carey Price. My only concern is the Rangers team in front of him. Shesterkin carried the club last season. Will New York be better in front of him? If so, watch out.

Vasilevskiy still owns the well-earned title of the best money goaltender in hockey. He can close out a playoff series or post a much-needed shutout like no one else. But I am curious to see if Vasilevskiy has made any technical changes to his game. He has few faults, but I do think at times ‘The Big Cat’ becomes too spread out and plays smaller than his 6-foot-3 frame is capable of. I wonder if Vasilevskiy will narrow up his butterfly in an attempt to keep his knees more underneath him.

What fantasy owners should do:

Start them both. Tonight. And every night.

Bottom line for Igor Shesterkin:

Having a monster year is one thing. Sustaining it over the course of a career is another. Tonight is the first step towards Shesterkin proving he’s the best in the world. Again.

Bottom line for Andrei Vasilevskiy:

Vasilevskiy’s playoff prowess is no secret. But I do think his regular season play could have been slightly better last season. Regardless, wins are what matter. Vasilevskiy owns 229 of them in 365 NHL appearances.