Who to start · 2025-26
Chandler Stephenson vs Evgeni Malkin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47.
Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 games.
This week Stephenson has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Malkin has 1 left. We project Stephenson for 2.9 ESPN points to Malkin's 1.6.
Evgeni Malkin has the better number in 23 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Stephenson's biggest edges: Top skating speed 23.3, Blocked shots 56, 20+ mph bursts 169.
Malkin's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 76.9%, Plus/minus +13, Sequence xG 53.9%.
Head to head on the dot, Stephenson leads Malkin 14–8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chandler Stephenson
1.47
fantasy points per game
Evgeni Malkin
2.12
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Stephenson | Malkin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.76 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.39 | 0.70 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.09 | 0.22 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.12 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.33 | 0.14 |
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: Stephenson vs Malkin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Stephenson 5G 6A, 27 SOG · Malkin 7G 12A, 48 SOG
Stephenson's offensive zone 6–2 · neutral 5–2 · Stephenson's defensive zone 3–4 (2019-20 to 2025-26)
Stephenson blocked 1 of Malkin's shots; Malkin blocked 0 of Stephenson's.
On the ice against each other (Stephenson's side)
6:10 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Stephenson's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–6
- 40.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.2
- 41.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Stephenson | Malkin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-19 | SEA 3–6 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-11-22 | SEA 3–2 PIT | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-25 | SEA 4–1 PIT | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-01-14 | SEA 4–2 PIT | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-01-20 | VGK 3–2 PIT | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-11-19 | VGK 0–3 PIT | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2023-01-05 | VGK 5–2 PIT | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-12-01 | VGK 3–4 PIT | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2022-03-11 | VGK 2–5 PIT | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-01-17 | VGK 3–5 PIT | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2020-01-07 | VGK 3–4 PIT | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2018-11-07 | WSH 2–1 PIT | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 20 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.
Chandler Stephenson
3games (2 left)
2.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGYOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.5 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.5 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
Evgeni Malkin
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.6 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to CLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chandler Stephenson or Evgeni Malkin in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47. Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 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, Chandler Stephenson or Evgeni Malkin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Evgeni Malkin leads in 23 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Stephenson and Malkin done against each other?
- In 20 games against each other in our data, Stephenson's team went 11–9. Stephenson had 11 points (5 goals) and Malkin had 19 (7 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Stephenson or Malkin?
- Against each other, Stephenson has won 14 and Malkin 8 of their 22 head-to-head draws.
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 →