Erik Gustafsson is a good fantasy start vs Coyotes

If you play fantasy hockey the one Washington Capitals player you gotta insert into your lineup tonight is defenseman Erik Gustafsson.

Ever since John Carlson went down with an injury that will sideline him a long time, Gustafsson has been the team’s best defenseman. He only makes $800,000 this season and enters the summer as an unrestricted free agent.

In fact, every defenseman not named John Carlson will enter free agency making it tough decision time for Brian MacLellan.

Through 46 games played, Gustafsson has seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points. His 26 points is the most among Capitals defensemen. He also leads blue liners in assists while ranking fourth on the Caps overall.

Here’s what Michael Finewax had to say about Gustafsson:

Gustafsson has taken advantage of the injury to John Carlson and has seven goals and 26 points in 46 games. While Carlson is sidelined, Gustafsson is quarterbacking the first power play. He has all seven goals in his last 15 games (along with nine assists) and is a great play Thursday in Arizona.

Gustafsson had a goal on New Years Eve against the Montreal Canadiens and said, “It’s always fun to score goals.”

Gustafsson added: 

“You play more and more minutes every night, so it’s more consistent. I’m just trying to play as simple as I can and follow up the rush.”

He is enjoying his role on the Capitals defense especially on a team that his better than his former one in the Ottawa Senators. He is embracing the challenge of stepping up offensively and defensively and has reaped the rewards.

The Gus Bus hopes to keep rolling as the Caps are on a west coast three game road trip. The first stop is against the Arizona Coyotes tonight at 9 p.m. then Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights and then Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche.