Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Braden Schneider vs Sam Malinski

Braden SchneiderBraden SchneiderRangers · DefencevsSam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Braden Schneider's 1.38.

Schneider had 18 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Schneider has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Malinski has 1 left. We project Malinski for 1.4 ESPN points to Schneider's 1.2.

Sam Malinski has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Schneider's biggest edges: Hits 163, Blocked shots 140, Ice-time share 33.7%.

Malinski's biggest edges: Expected goals 62.1%, Sequence xG 61.8%, Fenwick 58.7%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Braden Schneider

1.38

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Sam Malinski has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchneiderMalinski
Goals (+2)0.040.18
Assists (+1)0.160.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.140.20
Hits (+0.1)0.220.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.820.64

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 Malinski

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

SchneiderMalinski
0Team record in 4 meetings4
1Points in those games2

Schneider 0G 1A, 3 SOG · Malinski 0G 2A, 2 SOG

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

6:54 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schneider's side

Shot attempts
3–4
42.9%
Expected goals
0.3–0.1
84.1%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Braden Schneider and Sam Malinski
DateScoreSchneiderMalinski
2025-12-06NYR 2–3 COL0G 0A 1S0G 1A 0S
2025-11-20NYR 3–6 COL0G 1A 1S0G 1A 1S
2025-01-26NYR 4–5 COL0G 0A 0S0G 0A 1S
2025-01-14NYR 2–3 COL0G 0A 1S0G 0A 0S

Every stat, side by side

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

SchneiderMalinski

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.

Braden Schneider

4games (1 left)

1.2proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to DLikely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2B
    Schedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.2 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
    Schedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Braden Schneider or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Braden Schneider's 1.38. Schneider had 18 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 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 Sam Malinski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 23 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 Malinski done against each other?
In 4 games against each other in our data, Schneider's team went 0–4. Schneider had 1 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 2 (0 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 →