McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Mar. 25 – Filip Gustavsson vs. Alex Stalock
Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Sat. Mar. 25, 2023:
Why I like this matchup:
Gustavsson has started 31 games this season and allowed one goal or less 15 times. That’s utter domination, and massively impressive for his first full-time season in the NHL. I also love the year Alex Stalock has put together after being out of the NHL for almost two full seasons.
What to watch for:
Both goalies are an amazing story.Gustavsson is on his third NHL franchise at just 24 years of age – pretty strange to think about. But he’s been everything the Wild had hoped for when they traded goaltender Cam Talbot for him last summer. Gustavsson has a .932 save percentage along with a 18-9-5 record. Given how well he’s played, the former second-round draft pick is the heir apparent in Minnesota when Marc-Andre Fleury’s contract expires after the 2023-24 season. It’ll be interesting to see if Gustavsson gets any action in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. He’s earned it. But he also has a quality goalie partner (Fleury) with a ton of hardware.
Stalock has lost two straight games, but honestly who cares? This guy was on the brink of retirement after missing the entire 2020-21 season due to serious health complications. But he’s come back this year with the Hawks and posted a .915 save percentage in 21 games. For comparison’s sake, his goalie partner – the often injured Petr Mrazek – has managed just an .895 in 33 appearances. Kudos to Stalock, one of the very last goaltenders in the NHL that stands less than six feet tall.
What fantasy owners should do:
All aboard the Gus Bus! Start him, especially against the undermanned Blackhawks. Stalock is starting in his home state of Minnesota, so maybe he pulls a rabbit out of his hat tonight. But smart money says it’s a longshot for him to perform in fantasy against the Wild.
Bottom line for Filip Gustavsson:
It might not matter how good he plays from here on out: Fleury will likely start Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bottom line for Alex Stalock:
I think he deserves the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.