Who to start · 2025-26
Cale Makar vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cale Makar projects to 2.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Makar had 79 points in 75 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Makar has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Makar for 2.6 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Cale Makar has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Makar's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.021, Ice time per game 24:51, Ice-time share 40.9%.
Malinski's biggest edges: High-danger chances 58.1%, Forecheck xG /60 0.44, Fenwick 58.7%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Cale Makar
2.70
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Cale Makar has the edge.
| Points per game from | Makar | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.86 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.83 | 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: Makar vs Malinski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Makar blocked 0 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 1 of Makar's.
On the ice together
200:53 at 5-on-5 over 41 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 257–223
- 53.5%
- Expected goals
- 10.2–6.9
- 59.6%
- Goals
- 13–5
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
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 Cale Makar or Sam Malinski 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 Sam Malinski's 1.44. Makar had 79 points in 75 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, Cale Makar or Sam Malinski?
- 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 →