Coffee in the Crease: The Playoff Push

Welcome back everyone! With fantasy playoffs right around the corner (literally) there’s a good chance that your league's final standings aren’t exactly set. Of course there’s the leagues that have the playoff clubs all locked and are just fighting over seeding, but there are those where the middle spots and fringe playoff teams are going to be in a battle this week. This week we’re looking at you; the fantasy owner that needs a win this week to get into playoffs. If you’re in need of a lower rostered goaltender I think there’s some good options along with a higher rostered player that will likely be put in good starts during the week.

Stuart Skinner, Edmonton Oilers (Rostered in 33% of ESPN leagues, 31% Fantrax, 61% Yahoo) 34 starts, 17 wins, 4 OTL, 2.88 GA/G, .912 Sv%, 0 SO

I have to make mention that I was never a fan of the Jack Campbell contract from the start. I just didn’t think that the term and AAV on his deal was a good fit for Edmonton, as Campbell doesn't have a lot of playoff experience and only had one good month and a half in Toronto. I understand why Edmonton gave him the starts that they did, that’s a bigger contract and Campbell was expected to play to it. Now though, it’s Stuart Skinner’s net and I think Edmonton has come to realize this.

Truly worst feeling in fantasy is when you have a player that you know has the upside to do well, seldom does, but just that fear of losing out on points on the bench is enough to throw that person into the starting lineup. Up until recently, Joe Pavelski comes to mind and for those of you in fantasy football that person is Ezekiel Elliott and I don’t even know who a close second would be. 12 weeks of the season it’s 45 yards on 13 carries but every now and again you get the blow up performance. I think that Campbell was really in this role for the Oilers while Skinner’s starts were much more productive.

Over Skinner's last six games he has four wins and looked fantastic on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets, keeping a shutout going late into the third when a rebound shot got past him. It wasn’t enough to break focus though and he was able to coast to a win. Likewise, Jack Campbell started the very next day against the very same Winnipeg club and let in six goals. With that being said and given the lower roster numbers, Skinner is a goaltender I would target now and into the playoffs. Edmonton has played slightly less of a back-and-forth game than usual over the last week but the case for volume is still there with this club, along with the chance of a win given Edmonton’s roster. Skinner is already slated to start tonight against the BuffaloSabres on the road, followed by a Thursday night game in Boston. The latter might be a tougher case for a win but I think that’s a game the Oilers and Skinner will be ready for.

Cam Talbot, Ottawa Senators (Rostered in 48% of ESPN leagues, 71% Fantrax, 63% Yahoo) 29 starts, 15 wins, 1 OTL, 2.85 GA/G, .905 Sv%, 1 SO

I have a couple Senators fans in my life and they used to be such a…we’ll go with “happily optimistic” group. Usually had some fun chats with them but this season I think we went from “happily optimistic” to something like, “If you’re not for us you’re against us?” Maybe? If you’d have told me in October, I’d be defending Anton Forsberg in a text thread I’d have not believed you. Thankfully, Cam Talbot has been back from injury for a week or so and I think he makes the perfect lower rostered addition this week.

Talbot has been really good lately winning three of his last four games and looked very solid his last game out against the Columbus Blue Jackets allowing just two goals. Yeah, I know, it’s Columbus but I think we also have to look at Talbot now as not only being confident in net but having a bolstered blueline in front of him with the addition of Jakob Chychrun. I like Talbot this week in part due to schedule and also in part of his lower roster numbers. The Senators will be in action tonight against an AHL Blackhawks club, then on the road Thursday against the Seattle Kraken.

I think a slight advantage in fantasy hockey at times during the end of the regular season is rostering a player on a club that is right on the outside looking in of the playoff picture and needs every last point. Talbot on this Senators club provides just that and as we move forward clubs that have secured a playoff spot begin to rest players, while ones fighting for a spot will be playing every night like it’s a game seven.

Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild (Rostered in 50% of ESPN leagues, 70% Fantrax, 68% Yahoo) 27 starts, 17 wins, 3 OTL, 1.99 GA/G, .933 Sv%, 2 SO

My guess here is that in larger leagues Filip Gustavsson is off your waiver wire and has been for some time now, but for those that he’s not I’d snatch him up now before playoffs while you still have a chance to do so. Over on ESPN it’s a coin flip if he’s there so there’s maybe a chance that he’s available which given his play, would shock me.

Gustavsson has been outstanding this season and honestly has saved the Wild from their lack of offense. Since January 1st, Gustavsson has a 1.47 goals against average with a .87 high danger goals against average. I don’t think anyone saw this coming from the twenty-four-year-old netminder but following a shutout on Saturday over the Flames he can’t be overlooked.

For those that are currently rostering him I think this week is going to be a perfect spot to give him starts. The Wild have a back-to-back against Calgary and Winnipeg on Tuesday and Wednesday followed by a road San Jose and Arizona back-to-back over the weekend. Whichever set of games Gustavsson gets, I think he’s a must start.

For continued fantasy news and notes throughout the season, follow me on Twitter @ndySanz