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Who to start · 2025-26

Bowen Byram vs Evgeni Malkin

Bowen ByramBowen ByramBlackhawks · DefencevsEvgeni MalkinEvgeni MalkinPenguins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37.

Byram had 42 points in 82 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 games.

This week Byram has 1 game left; Malkin has 1 left. We project Byram for 2.0 ESPN points to Malkin's 1.6.

Evgeni Malkin has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Byram's biggest edges: Ascension score 59, Top skating speed 22.9, 20+ mph bursts 107.

Malkin's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Offensive-zone start % 76.9%, Hardest shot 93.1.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Bowen Byram

1.37

fantasy points per game

Evgeni Malkin

2.12

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromByramMalkin
Goals (+2)0.240.76
Assists (+1)0.330.70
Power-play points (+0.5)0.040.22
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.120.26
Hits (+0.1)0.050.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.590.14

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: Byram vs Malkin

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

ByramMalkin
2Team record in 9 meetings7
6Points in those games10

Byram 0G 6A, 15 SOG · Malkin 1G 9A, 24 SOG

1Hits on each other0
1Shots blocked by the other0

Byram blocked 1 of Malkin's shots; Malkin blocked 0 of Byram's.

1Penalties drawn off the other0

On the ice against each other (Byram's side)

13:10 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Byram's side

Shot attempts
13–11
54.2%
Expected goals
0.6–1.3
29.6%
Goals
0–2

Games against each other

Games between Bowen Byram and Evgeni Malkin
DateScoreByramMalkin
2026-03-05BUF 5–1 PIT0G 1A 2S0G 0A 1S
2026-02-05BUF 2–5 PIT0G 1A 1S0G 1A 5S
2025-11-26BUF 2–4 PIT0G 0A 2S0G 0A 1S
2025-01-17BUF 2–5 PIT0G 1A 3S0G 0A 1S
2024-10-16BUF 5–6 PIT0G 2A 0S1G 3A 7S
2023-10-26COL 0–4 PIT0G 0A 4S0G 1A 2S
2023-03-22COL 2–5 PIT0G 0A 0S0G 1A 2S
2023-02-07COL 1–2 PIT0G 1A 1S0G 2A 4S
2022-04-05COL 6–4 PIT0G 0A 2S0G 1A 1S

Every stat, side by side

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

ByramMalkin

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.

Bowen Byram

3games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF2.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to DSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)

Evgeni Malkin

2games (1 left)

1.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.6 pts
    Opp allows 14th-most FP to Cvs Jakub Dobes (.901)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Bowen Byram or Evgeni Malkin in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37. Byram had 42 points in 82 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 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, Bowen Byram or Evgeni Malkin?
On 2025-26 numbers, Evgeni Malkin leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Byram and Malkin done against each other?
In 9 games against each other in our data, Byram's team went 2–7. Byram had 6 points (0 goals) and Malkin had 10 (1 goals).

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 →