Cops & Flops - Nov 19

by Joshua Goldberg-Penn

Fantasy Hockey players rejoice! We here at CST would like to officially announce the start of our brand new weekly article detailing those players you should add to your fantasy team and which you should get rid of! JGP, our fantasy hockey expert, is here for all of your fantasy hockey needs! Make sure to tweet us @CasualSportsPod for all the latest & greatest fantasy news!

Without further or due, our new weekly series, Cops & Flops:

This Week’s Cops

Louis Domingue (G) – Tampa Bay Lightning:

If you haven’t already picked him up, do so right now. With the team’s star netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks with a broken foot, Domingue is a must add. As the Lightning are currently sitting atop the highly competitive Atlantic division and are ranked second place overall, they will be providing Domingue with all of the offensive and defensive support he needs to be the backbone of the team until Vasilevskiy is back.

Mikko Koivu (C) – Minnesota Wild:

Over the last few seasons, Koivu has typically been a 45-55-point player. With only 6 points in his first 12 games, he seemed to be on track for his usual numbers. Since the beginning of November, the Finnish center has exploded for 12 points in his last 8 games, giving him a total of 18 points in 20 games so far. With these peripherals, he’s projected to get 73 points by the end of the season. Although it is probable that he will slow down, he should still be picked up while he’s hot.

Ryan Dzingel (LW) – Ottawa Senators:

The Ottawa Senators have been a lot more offensively productive than they were projected to be so far this season. Dzingel currently plays on the Senators’ 3^rd line and 2^nd power play unit and has 16 points in 18 games so far this season. In November, he has collected 5 goals and 4 assists through 9 games. Dzingel will eventually slow down, but you should pick him up if your team is currently in need of an improvement on the wing.

Erik Karlsson (D) – San Jose Sharks:

After a blockbuster trade sending the superstar defenseman from the Ottawa Senators to the San Jose sharks this past off-season, Karlsson was poised to start the season with a bang. While he only acquired 7 points in his first 18 games, Karlsson has exploded for 5 points in his last 3 games, including his first goal as a Shark. I suggest buying him low while you still can as it looks like Karlsson is finally settling into his new club.

This Week’s Flops

Cam Talbot (G) – Edmonton Oilers:

After carrying a strong record over the last two seasons of 42 and 31 wins respectively, Talbot and the Oilers are off to a horrible start. Sitting at 25^th in the league, Talbot currently has a mere 5 wins in 14 games played this season, with a 3.31 goals against average and a 0.888 save percentage. Edmonton’s backup netminder Mikko Koskinen has been a lot better than Talbot so far. With 4 wins out of 7 games played and a 0.917 save percentage this season, you should look at picking him up as a safety measure. Simply put, Edmonton’s goalie situation is not a pretty one, and you should look at improving your back end if you own Cam Talbot.

Anze Kopitar (C) – Los Angeles Kings:

There is no good news here. After hitting career high numbers last in 2017-2018 rocking 35 goals and 57 assists, Kopitar and the Kings have been a major disappointment so far this season. With only 8 points in 18 games, Kopitar is turning out to be one of the biggest flops of the league throughout October and November. Although he should improve, the Kings are currently dead last in the league. Kopitar is currently projected to get 36 points this season and you should consider other options down the middle until things are looking better for the Kings.

Cory Schneider (G) – New Jersey Devils:

After missing the first 14 games of the season, Schneider finally made his season debut on October 30^th. So far, the Devil’s netminder has played in 5 games this season. He also hasn’t won a game yet. Coming off of a playoff run last season, the Devils have not been impressive so far, sitting at 27^th overall in the league. If Schneider continues to struggle, it won’t be long until New Jersey’s backup goalie Keith Kinkaid gets the majority of the Devil’s games. Kinkaid currently has 8 wins and a 0.916 save percentage through 16 games this season.

This Week’s Bold Prediction

Tanner Pearson (LW) – Pittsburgh Penguins:

Following a horrific first 17 games with the Los Angeles Kings this season, banking only 1 assist, Pearson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for winger Carl Hagelin. Although Pearson has never exceeded more than 44 points in a single season, it is possible to see his production skyrocket if he sees regular ice time with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. He should be picked up in deeper leagues if you’re willing to take a risk on him.

Tune in next week to see who you should keep and who you have to dump right here on Casual Sports Talk!
For now, best of luck in your upcoming matchup!