Every Monday, theScore will offer a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing five moves you should make. Ownership percentages (as of Nov. 18) and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Buy low on Erik Karlsson
Team: Sharks
Position: D
Ownership: 99 percent
Karlsson finally got the monkey off his back on Saturday, potting his first goal as a Shark. That could open the floodgates for the two-time Norris Trophy winner who has been a disappointment through his first 21 games in San Jose, recording just 12 points.
On a per-60 minute basis, Karlsson is shooting more, getting more scoring chances, and more high-danger scoring chances than the past three seasons, indicating some positive regression may be coming. The human element can't be forgotten here either, as Karlsson could succeed more after getting comfortable in his new surroundings.
With enough persistence, Karlsson's owners might be persuaded to move him for a fraction of his actual value. It wouldn't be surprising if the Swede finishes the season as a top-25 fantasy player.
Add Mikko Koskinen
Team: Oilers
Position: G
Ownership: 14 percent
Koskinen is quickly emerging as Edmonton's No. 1 goalie. He's started half as many games as Cam Talbot, but it's evident which goalie has been more effective.
Stat | Talbot | Koskinen |
---|---|---|
GP | 14 | 7 |
Rec. | 5-8-1 | 4-2-0 |
GAA | 3.30 | 2.60 |
SV% | .888 | .917 |
SO | 0 | 1 |
Koskinen, the more reliable netminder, will see his starts increase as head coach Todd McLellan's desperation rises.
Stream Craig Smith
Team: Predators
Position: RW
Ownership: 18 percent
Smith is skating on the Predators' top line with Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg in the absence of Viktor Arvidsson, who's out six-to-eight weeks with a broken thumb.
After scoring 25 goals in 2017-18, Smith has been somewhat snakebitten so far this season, with just five tallies despite averaging a career-high 3.35 shots per game.
Add Nate Schmidt in deeper leagues
Team: Golden Knights
Position: D
Ownership: 7 percent
Schmidt served his 20-game suspension and returned to the Golden Knights' lineup on Sunday against the Oilers. The smooth-skating blue-liner racked up a career-high 36 points a year ago while leading his team in ice time.
Schmidt doesn't warrant a pick up in standard-sized leagues, but he's worth owning in any league with 14-plus teams.
Pick up Casey DeSmith
Team: Penguins
Position: G
Ownership: 34 percent
Matt Murray has been brutal this season, posting an .877 save percentage and a 4.08 goals-against average over 11 games. That's a far cry from the composed goalie we saw backstop the Penguins to two Stanley Cups.
DeSmith, on the other hand, has been magnificent in 11 games, sporting a .930 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average.
The Pens sit dead last in the Eastern Conference, so Murray's leash might get short quickly, which will lead to more starts for DeSmith.
(Advanced stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)
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