McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Apr. 8 – Juuse Saros vs. Connor Hellebuyck

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Sat. Apr. 8, 2023:

Why I like this matchup:

Nashville and Winnipeg are battling for the second wild-card slot in the NHL’s Western Conference. Each team has four games remaining in the 2022-23 regular season and the Jets currently lead the Predators by just one point in the standings. Saros and Hellebuyck are not only two of the NHL’s best netminders, they’re also the most valuable players of their respective teams.

What to watch for:

Incredible skating from Saros. And tremendous anticipation from Hellebuyck. For two goaltenders separated by five inches in height – Saros is 5-foot-11 while Hellebuyck stands 6’4” – you wouldn’t know it based on statistics. Each has a .918 save percentage this season and has played 61 games. But Saros and Hellebuyck are quite dissimilar in how they play.

I love Saros’ crisp, precise footwork and how he incorporates a small amount of backwards flow. He’s able to get in front of shots off lateral movement so well because he’s rarely flatfoot – something that Hellebuyck can be guilty of at times. The Jets goaltender is much more static in his approach to goaltending. Hellebuyck’s crease movements tend to be very calculated and he thinks the game at an elite level.

The reality for both goalies is that allowing more than two goals would likely equal a loss. Both Nashville and Winnipeg haven’t been able to muster sustained, consistent offense. Which puts extra pressure on both netminders. If it wasn’t for Saros and Hellebuyck, the Predators and Jets wouldn’t even be in the conversation for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

What fantasy owners should do:

Saros and Hellebuyck are both mortal locks to start. And worth thinking about long-term as keepers if your league allows it. The only category that isn’t strong is the win column. Lesser goalies have piled up more victories. But Saros and Hellebuyck make up for it in just about every other category.

Bottom line for Juuse Saros:

Nashville has four games remaining, and there’s a good chance Saros plays them all so long as the Predators are still in contention for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Bottom line for Connor Hellebuyck:

See above for Saros. It’s do or die for both goalies featured in tonight’s matchup.