McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Mar. 8 – Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Connor Hellebuyck
Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Wed. Mar. 8, 2023:
Why I like this matchup:
Tonight features two teams going in opposite directions. The Wild are on a tear, and Marc-Andre Fleury has been along for the ride. He’s allowed just three goals in his past three starts and earned the win in each outing. Winnipeg is 2-6-2 in their past 10 and flirting with disaster. The Jets hold the second wild card slot in the NHL’s Western Conference, but the team is just four points ahead of the Calgary Flames with 18 games left to play. Hellebuyck won against the Edmonton Oilers four nights ago, his first victory in five games for Winnipeg.
What to watch for:
Fleury has taken something of a backseat in Minnesota, where upstart Filip Gustavsson has earned more playing time. But Fleury has done his part recently, authoring two wins over the Columbus Blue Jackets and another against the Vancouver Canucks. Tonight represents a new challenge for Fleury: the Wild lost 1-0 to the Calgary Flames last night. His team will be tired. And I would expect Fleury to be busy against the Jets, a franchise desperate to turn things around. He has a .905 save percentage on the season to go with a 19-3-3 record.
Hellebuyck’s dream season has come to a screeching halt. The Jets goaltender has been pulled twice and allowed 19 goals in his last four games. That’s not all on the 6-foot-4 goaltender from Michigan: Winnipeg hasn’t played well in front of him. But I can’t help but wonder if the Jets are running Hellebuyck hot. In the past two weeks, he’s played on back-to-back nights twice. That’s a lot of action for one netminder, and his performance has waned. Hellebuyck’s last game may have been a win, but he still allowed five goals against Edmonton. He needs a bounce back game tonight against a Central Division rival.
What fantasy owners should do:
Hellebuyck is due for a big outing, and the Wild are in a tough spot playing their second game in two days. I would start Hellebuyck despite his recent woes. Fleury has been hit or miss this year, but fantasy owners have struggled with him in the saves column. Minnesota doesn’t give up many shots.
Bottom line for Marc-Andre Fleury:
Get the Wild through the first period at least tied. The Jets should be buzzing.
Bottom line for Connor Hellebuyck:
Two goals or less. That’s the goal. It’s time to get Winnipeg going again.