Who to start · 2025-26
Brock Nelson vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Nelson has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Nelson for 2.0 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Brock Nelson has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Nelson's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.000, Ice time per game 19:39, Ice-time share 32.3%.
Malinski's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.77, Luck Meter +46, Hardest shot 96.8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brock Nelson
2.23
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Brock Nelson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nelson | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.89 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 0.64 |
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: Nelson vs Malinski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Nelson 2G 1A, 6 SOG · Malinski 0G 0A, 1 SOG
Nelson blocked 5 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 0 of Nelson's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
403:25 at 5-on-5 over 92 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 497–377
- 56.9%
- Expected goals
- 22.7–14.7
- 60.7%
- Goals
- 21–9
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nelson | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-28 | NYI 5–2 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-10-14 | NYI 6–2 COL | 2G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 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.
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.
Brock Nelson
2games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.0 pts
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brock Nelson or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Nelson had 65 points in 81 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, Brock Nelson or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brock Nelson leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nelson and Malinski done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Nelson's team went 2–0. Nelson had 3 points (2 goals) and Malinski had 0 (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 →