McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Feb. 28 – Darcy Kuemper vs. John Gibson

Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Wed. Mar. 1, 2023:

Why I like this matchup:

Gibson is riding a two-game hot streak for the Ducks: he’s stopped 92 of the last 96 shots faced and come away with consecutive victories. It’s a redemption game for Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper, who was pulled Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres after allowing five goals on 19 shots.

What to watch for:

Which goalie blinks first?

Gibson has shown that he can steal games, but it takes a ridiculous amount of effort to do so. He has a 12-23-6 record this season to go with a .902 save percentage.

It’s been tough sledding in the Anaheim crease. Gibson has allowed four or more goals 23 times in 41 games played. He’s gotten the hook nine times this season but hasn’t been pulled in over a month.

Gibson plays decidedly old-school by today’s standards. He reaches for pucks and ends up on his backside more than most modern goaltenders. And pucks tend to go through him. But Gibson is an outstanding puckhandler and he possesses outstanding reflexes.

Kuemper has five shutouts this season, but things haven’t gone well recently. The Capitals have sold off defensive pieces and key players have been out of the lineup. And Kuemper has been searching to find consistency.

The Capitals netminder has allowed three or more goals in his last six starts. He lost five of those games and posted a save percentage above .900 only once. Kuemper could use a bounce-back game after lasting only 30 minutes against Buffalo on Sunday.

What fantasy owners should do:

Kuemper has been the better fantasy goalie this year, but the way things are going lately, I’m not sure that I would start him. The Ducks are atrocious defensively. Leave Gibson on the bench.

Bottom line for Darcy Kuemper:

Less is more. He needs to simplify his game.

Bottom line for John Gibson:

Hope for a trade. It’s been ugly in Anaheim for a while now, and it’s not getting better any time soon.