McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Feb. 14 – Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Alexandar Georgiev
Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Tue. Feb. 14, 2023:
Why I like this matchup:
Tonight’s clash between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche features two goalies – Andrei Vasilevskiy and Alexandar Georgiev – that have already won 20 games this season. The difference is that the Lightning are firmly in a Stanley Cup playoff spot, while the Avalanche are one point out of the race in the NHL’s western conference.
What to watch for:
I think it’s the perfect example of a game within a game. Vasilevskiy is and has been the gold standard among netminders for quite some time. He’s the yardstick other goalies measure their own game with. And when you add in that Georgiev, like Vasilevskiy, holds Russian citizenship, the dynamic becomes even more intriguing.
No doubt Georgiev would love to post a victory over the man that many consider to be the best goalkeeper in the world. But the reality is that the Avalanche, despite playing strong hockey and going 7-2-1 in their past ten games, need wins. And with No.2 goalie Pavel Francouz shelved with a lower-body injury, the pressure is on for Georgiev to deliver.
The Avalanche backstop has won five of his last six starts. And he was terrific Saturday night against the Florida Panthers, when he stopped 42 of 45 shots in a winning effort.
Ironically, Vasilevskiy has also won five of his last six games. But the Florida Panthers dinged the Lightning netminder for seven goals in his most recent loss. He responded three nights later with a 30-shot shutout against the Avalanche – his first blanking of the season. Vasilevskiy then stopped 28 of 29 against the Dallas Stars in his next start.
What fantasy owners should do:
Both Vasilevskiy and Georgiev are locks to start.
Bottom line for Andrei Vasilevskiy:
Keep on keeping on.
Bottom line for Alexandar Georgiev:
Keeping a consistent depth is really important for Georgiev. When his toes stay at the top of the blue paint, he’s at his best.