The Western Conference Final will include two former Arizona Coyotes goaltenders with Mike Smith vs Darcy Kuemper battling it out.
Battle of Former Coyotes Goalies Featured in West Showdown
Mike Smith who is still playing hockey at the ripe age of 40 was with the Arizona Coyotes for six seasons. His initial season in the desert was when he signed as a free agent in July of 2011. That was his best season as a goalie. He came away with a 38-18-10 record carrying a stellar .930 save percentage along with a 2.21 goals-against-average.
-
Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 6:26 am
In this episode, Jim and Chris discuss the latest with the Canucks, […]
Over his six season with the Coyotes, Smitty had a less than impressive record of 128-132-41. His save percentage of .916 was okay, and he gave up 2.69 goals a game. After his excellent 2011-12 season, the Coyotes went downhill. In fact, in the 2014-15 debacle of a season he had a horrible 14-42-5 record. The team finished seventh in the Pacific Division with a franchise low of just 56 points.
Smith was traded in June of 2017 to the Calgary Flames. Two years later, he signed as a free agent with the Edmonton Oilers. During his Edmonton games he posted a 56-27-10 record with a .913 SV%, and a 2.70 GAA. He has had six shutouts, but his play has always been quite erratic at times. There are easy saves that Smitty makes look difficult, and difficult saves he makes look easy. He has been known to let in some really fluke goals in his NHL career.
Only four remain.#GoAvsGo #LetsGoOilers #GoBolts #NYR #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/pcPUOwxs3o
— Full Press Hockey (@FullPressNHL) May 31, 2022
Smith’s Record vs Avalanche
Over his career Smith has an outstanding 13-1-5 record against the Avalanche. This current season he had a 2-0-1 record. So, that certainly displays that he can come up big against a powerhouse team like Colorado. It surely doesn’t hurt to have two dominating forwards like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid on your team. With offense like that, playing goalie is a bit less stressful. Yet, Smith will need to play in his best form to come away with four wins in this series. Both team are matched up well and the play in net may determine the winner of the series gaining the privilege of playing for the Stanley Cup.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Oilers Duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Best Ever
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers
NHL: Stanley Cup: Western Conference Final Opens In Denver
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers Defense Starting to Look Formidable
MLB: Feast or Famine: Tigers Seek Offensive Consistency
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 28: NHL Draft Lottery; Stanley Cup; Islanders Coaching Situation
Darcy Kuemper Has Excelled in Colorado
Kuemper has participated in 299 career NHL games with a 143-95-36 record. He has a .918 SV%, and a 2.48 GAA. In his run with the Avalanche this season, he has gained a 37-12-4 record. His .921 SV% and 2.54 GAA show that he is doing well in Colorado. He has had five shutouts this season to add to his success. Kuemper came to the Av’s in July of last year in a deal with the Arizona Coyotes. The Av’s were desperate for a starting goalie when they lost former starter Philipp Grubauer to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft.
The Coyotes cleaned up in the trade sending Kuemper up north. The Yotes got a 2022 first round pick along with a 2024 third-rounder, plus defenseman Conor Timmins for Kuemper. At the time, the Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong had decided to go full rebuild, and unloading Kuemper was one of the moves to build for the future.
Kuemper, like Smith, has an exemplary record against his opponent in the Western Conference Final. He is 10-2-4 against the Oilers and went 2-1 this season facing McDavid and company.
Mike Smith vs Darcy Kuemper Showdown
While Smith may have the experience versus Kuemper, this will indeed be a showdown of two excellent teams with two very qualified goaltenders. We all know defense wins Cups, so we shall see which goalie comes out on top in this series. Watch for Smith’s untimely gaffs and Kuemper’s loss of concentration as the two veteran netminders look for an advantage for their team.
With the two offenses being extremely talented, it will be difficult to just shut one team down. That being said, this series may not be a low scoring affair. If one goalie gets hot, just like scorers get hot and cold, it could be the deciding factor to move to the Stanley Cup Final.
-
Ep 42: Going Streaking, 84 Game Schedule, Ovechkin Watch, Holiday Funby Full Press Coverage on December 22, 2022 at 5:50 pm
In this episode, Jim and Chris talk notable point streaks in the NHL, the […]
-
Ep 41: Alex Ovechkin, Playoff Expansion, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on December 15, 2022 at 2:27 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss Alex Ovechkin's 800th goal, potential […]
-
Ep 40: Borje Salming Passing; Kris Letang, Roope Hintz, Top 5 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2022 at 12:45 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel are back for another edition of Full Press […]
-
Ep 39: The NHL Has A Problemby Full Press Coverage on November 10, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Mike and Jim are back to discuss all the latest from around the NHL.
-
New Jersey Devils and NHL Talkby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Vox NHL Analyst Bruce Zeman to discuss […]
-
The Mess That Is The Vancouver Canucksby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Chris Wassel as they break down the mess […]
-
Ep 79: Bruins Are A Wagon, Pastrnak Contract, Krejci, Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on January 18, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Ian and Chris evaluate the red-hot Bruins halfway through the season. In […]
-
Ep 78: Mitchell Miller Fiasco Reaction; What Do The Bruins Do Next?by Full Press Coverage on November 7, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Mitchell Miller signing fiasco and discuss what […]
-
S4Ep17 - Road Warriors - Devils, Kraken, Bruins, and Golden Knightsby Jim Biringer on January 24, 2023 at 7:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey with NHL […]
-
S4Ep16 - Consistency - Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthersby Jim Biringer on January 16, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey with NHL […]
-
Episode #126: Re-Ranking the Reign Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 8:28 am
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah have another trade […]
-
Episode #125: Rockford Offseason Makeover Successesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 5:04 pm
On this edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah discuss the news […]