Who to start · 2025-26
Chandler Stephenson vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47.
Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week Stephenson has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to Stephenson's 2.9.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 28 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Stephenson's biggest edges: Draw Equity /100 +0.036, Faceoff win % 52.1%, Ascension score 51.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Fenwick 55.7%, Corsi 55.9%, Plus/minus +17.
Head to head on the dot, Stephenson leads Schmaltz 24–24.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chandler Stephenson
1.47
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Stephenson | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.39 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.09 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.12 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.33 | 0.30 |
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 Schmaltz
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 6G 10A, 25 SOG · Schmaltz 12G 15A, 63 SOG
Stephenson's offensive zone 4–1 · neutral 8–6 · Stephenson's defensive zone 12–17 (2018-19 to 2025-26)
Stephenson blocked 2 of Schmaltz's shots; Schmaltz blocked 1 of Stephenson's.
On the ice against each other (Stephenson's side)
19:50 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Stephenson's side
- Shot attempts
- 12–22
- 35.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–1.7
- 31.9%
- Goals
- 2–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Stephenson | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-02 | SEA 2–6 UTA | 0G 1A 0S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2026-01-17 | SEA 3–6 UTA | 1G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-12-12 | SEA 3–5 UTA | 0G 1A 4S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2025-04-08 | SEA 1–7 UTA | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-03-14 | SEA 4–2 UTA | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2024-12-30 | SEA 5–2 UTA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-04-05 | VGK 4–7 ARI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2024-02-08 | VGK 3–2 ARI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-11-25 | VGK 0–2 ARI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-01-22 | VGK 1–4 ARI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2022-12-21 | VGK 5–2 ARI | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2022-04-09 | VGK 6–1 ARI | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
Latest 12 of 27 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)
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 8th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chandler Stephenson or Nick Schmaltz in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47. Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Schmaltz had 74 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, Chandler Stephenson or Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 28 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 Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 27 games against each other in our data, Stephenson's team went 15–12. Stephenson had 16 points (6 goals) and Schmaltz had 27 (12 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Stephenson or Schmaltz?
- Against each other, Stephenson has won 24 and Schmaltz 24 of their 48 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 →