Who to start · 2025-26
Braden Schneider 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 Braden Schneider's 1.38.
Schneider had 18 points in 82 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.
This week Schneider has 1 game left; MacKinnon has 1 left. We project MacKinnon for 3.2 ESPN points to Schneider's 1.4.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 30 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Schneider's biggest edges: Hits 163, Blocked shots 140, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.084.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: Expected goals 59.7%, Sequence xG 59.5%, Offensive-zone start % 71.8%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Braden Schneider
1.38
fantasy points per game
Nathan MacKinnon
3.32
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schneider | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.04 | 1.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.16 | 0.87 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.21 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.14 | 0.46 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.82 | 0.21 |
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: Schneider vs MacKinnon
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Schneider 0G 2A, 7 SOG · MacKinnon 5G 6A, 33 SOG
Schneider blocked 0 of MacKinnon's shots; MacKinnon blocked 2 of Schneider's.
On the ice against each other (Schneider's side)
22:21 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schneider's side
- Shot attempts
- 26–28
- 48.1%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–1.6
- 33.8%
- Goals
- 0–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schneider | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-06 | NYR 2–3 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 7S |
| 2025-11-20 | NYR 3–6 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 2G 1A 4S |
| 2025-01-26 | NYR 4–5 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2025-01-14 | NYR 2–3 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 4S |
| 2024-03-28 | NYR 3–2 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-02-05 | NYR 2–1 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 7S |
| 2022-10-25 | NYR 2–3 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 5S |
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.
Braden Schneider
4games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.4 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Nathan MacKinnon
2games (1 left)
3.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL3.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Braden Schneider 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 Braden Schneider's 1.38. Schneider had 18 points in 82 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, Braden Schneider or Nathan MacKinnon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 30 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schneider and MacKinnon done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Schneider's team went 2–5. Schneider had 2 points (0 goals) and MacKinnon had 11 (5 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 →