Who to start · 2025-26
Cale Makar vs Kyle Connor
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cale Makar projects to 2.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Kyle Connor's 2.43.
Makar had 79 points in 75 games; Connor had 92 in 82 games.
This week Makar has 1 game left; Connor has 1 left. We project Makar for 2.6 ESPN points to Connor's 2.2.
Cale Makar has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Makar's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Top skating speed 23.7, Forecheck xG /60 0.35.
Connor's biggest edges: Ascension score 57, Goals above expected +1.1, Shorthanded points 2.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Cale Makar
2.70
fantasy points per game
Kyle Connor
2.43
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Cale Makar has the edge.
| Points per game from | Makar | Connor |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 1.02 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.86 | 0.67 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.37 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.83 | 0.17 |
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: Makar vs Connor
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2019-20 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Makar 5G 14A, 61 SOG · Connor 12G 8A, 79 SOG
Makar blocked 4 of Connor's shots; Connor blocked 4 of Makar's.
On the ice against each other (Makar's side)
28:22 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Makar's side
- Shot attempts
- 31–28
- 52.5%
- Expected goals
- 1.7–1.4
- 56.0%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Makar | Connor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-28 | COL 2–4 WPG | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2026-03-26 | COL 3–2 WPG | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2026-03-14 | COL 1–3 WPG | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-19 | COL 3–2 WPG | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-01-22 | COL 2–3 WPG | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-01-11 | COL 0–3 WPG | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2024-12-31 | COL 5–2 WPG | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-11-07 | COL 0–1 WPG | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-04-30 · PO | COL 6–3 WPG | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2024-04-28 · PO | COL 5–1 WPG | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-26 · PO | COL 6–2 WPG | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-23 · PO | COL 5–2 WPG | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 23 meetings.
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.
Cale Makar
2games (1 left)
2.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.6 pts
Kyle Connor
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOS
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET2.2 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Cale Makar or Kyle Connor in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cale Makar projects to 2.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Kyle Connor's 2.43. Makar had 79 points in 75 games; Connor had 92 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, Cale Makar or Kyle Connor?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Cale Makar 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 Makar and Connor done against each other?
- In 23 games against each other in our data, Makar's team went 11–12. Makar had 19 points (5 goals) and Connor had 20 (12 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 →