Who to start · 2025-26
Brad Marchand vs Nathan MacKinnon
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brad Marchand's 2.26.
Marchand had 54 points in 52 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.
This week Marchand has 1 game left; MacKinnon has 1 left. We project MacKinnon for 2.8 ESPN points to Marchand's 1.5.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 28 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Marchand's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.33, Shorthanded points 1, Goals above expected +4.5.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: Plus/minus +57, Faceoffs won 681, Fenwick 56.0%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brad Marchand
2.26
fantasy points per game
Nathan MacKinnon
3.17
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | Marchand | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.04 | 1.32 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.52 | 0.93 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.19 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.27 | 0.44 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.22 |
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
Brad Marchand and Nathan MacKinnon 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.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
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.
Brad Marchand
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ CAROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ SJSOpp allows 12th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA1.5 ptsLikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
Nathan MacKinnon
2games (1 left)
2.8proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.8 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brad Marchand or Nathan MacKinnon in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brad Marchand's 2.26. Marchand had 54 points in 52 games; MacKinnon had 127 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, Brad Marchand or Nathan MacKinnon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 28 of 33 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 →

