Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Cale Makar vs Nikolaj Ehlers

Cale MakarCale MakarAvalanche · DefencevsNikolaj EhlersNikolaj EhlersHurricanes · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cale Makar projects to 2.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65.

Makar had 79 points in 75 games; Ehlers had 71 in 82 games.

This week Makar has 1 game left; Ehlers has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Makar for 2.5 ESPN points to Ehlers's 1.9.

Cale Makar has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Makar's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1036, Faceoffs won 0, Blocked shots 118.

Ehlers's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.6, Ascension score 52, Fenwick 61.3%.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Cale Makar

2.70

fantasy points per game

Nikolaj Ehlers

1.65

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Cale Makar has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMakarEhlers
Goals (+2)0.500.56
Assists (+1)0.860.48
Power-play points (+0.5)0.210.15
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.260.26
Hits (+0.1)0.040.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.830.16

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

Cale Makar and Nikolaj Ehlers 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.

MakarEhlers

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.

Cale Makar

2games (1 left)

2.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.5 pts
    Schedule edge +9.3 win%

Nikolaj Ehlers

3games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to LW
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.9 pts
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Cale Makar or Nikolaj Ehlers 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 Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65. Makar had 79 points in 75 games; Ehlers had 71 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 Nikolaj Ehlers?
On 2025-26 numbers, Cale Makar leads in 20 of 34 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 →