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Who to start · 2025-26

Auston Matthews vs Chandler Stephenson

Auston MatthewsAuston MatthewsMaple Leafs · CentrevsChandler StephensonChandler StephensonKraken · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Auston Matthews projects to 2.31 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47.

Matthews had 53 points in 60 games; Stephenson had 49 in 80 games.

This week Matthews has 1 game left; Stephenson has 2 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Stephenson for 3.0 ESPN points to Matthews's 2.7.

Auston Matthews has the better number in 25 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Matthews's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.09, Offensive-zone start % 58.9%, Shots on goal 227.

Stephenson's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.8, Luck Meter +23, Top skating speed 23.3.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Auston Matthews

2.31

fantasy points per game

Chandler Stephenson

1.47

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Auston Matthews has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMatthewsStephenson
Goals (+2)0.790.50
Assists (+1)0.380.39
Power-play points (+0.5)0.090.09
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.360.12
Hits (+0.1)0.070.02
Blocks (+0.5)0.630.33

Per-game rates from the selected sample; blended mixes last season with this season, weighting this season more as games are played. Categories are scored as z-scores against qualified players at the same position. Your custom weights are saved in this browser only.

Head-to-head

Auston Matthews and Chandler Stephenson have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

MatthewsStephenson

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

This week's schedule

Sep 28 to Oct 4. More games usually wins a weekly start/sit. Chips show how many fantasy points the opponent allows to the player's position (soft or tough), the Schedule Edge from rest and travel, and the likely opposing goalie with his save percentage. Projections use ESPN default points for the games left.

Auston Matthews

3games (1 left)

2.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to C
  • Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2B
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT2.7 pts

Chandler Stephenson

3games (2 left)

3.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ CGY
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.5 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to C
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.5 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to C

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Auston Matthews or Chandler Stephenson in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Auston Matthews projects to 2.31 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47. Matthews had 53 points in 60 games; Stephenson had 49 in 80 games. Check this week's games and your league's scoring in the fantasy panel above, since more games usually decide a weekly start.
Who is better, Auston Matthews or Chandler Stephenson?
On 2025-26 numbers, Auston Matthews leads in 25 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

2025-26 regular season from NHL play-by-play, shift charts and NHL EDGE, processed by Edgehalla. Head-to-head covers every loaded season (play-by-play from 2019-20; on-ice matchups from 2025-26).Compare other players →