McKenna Match of the Day: April 23 – Jack Campbell vs. Sergei Bobrovsky

Former NHL goaltender Mike McKenna offers his daily starting goaltender game of the day for Saturday. April 23, 2022:

Why I love this game:

The Maple Leafs were beaten 8-1 by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. Jack Campbell didn’t play that game. But tonight against the Florida Panthers — the NHL’s hottest team with 12 straight wins — he’s leaving for the Maple Leafs. With just over a week to go until the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Toronto needs a big game from Campbell to help them get back on track.

To monitor :

The first 10 minutes. Florida can absolutely crush teams in the first period if the stars align. Campbell has little room for error. It’s a more comfortable existence for Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The Panthers lead the NHL with 322 goals – 23 ahead of the second-placed Toronto Maple Leafs. Tonight’s game could be a track meet.

Bobrovsky’s .913 save percentage isn’t eye-catching, but he hasn’t lost a game in regulation since Feb. 26, a staggering feat by any measure. Bobrovsky is dynamic, explosive and flexible – almost to fault. He can sometimes chase the game.

Campbell has been stable since returning from a rib injury in early April. He went 6-0-1 during that span, with his only loss to the Panthers on April 5. Campbell allowed four goals on 26 shots in a 25-minute relief effort: Erik Kallgren left that game due to injury.

What fantasy owners should do:

Start Bobrovsky. He has been a winning machine this season and has provided strong value in all categories. But I would leave Campbell on the bench. Even with Auston Matthews back in the Maple Leafs roster, tonight’s game will be a challenge.

Conclusion for Jack Campbell:

Keep the Panthers to three goals or less.

Conclusion for Sergei Bobrovsky:

Keep the Maple Leafs to three goals or less. It will probably be a high score game.