Who to start · 2025-26
Chris Kreider vs Cole Caufield
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cole Caufield projects to 2.29 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chris Kreider's 1.42.
Kreider had 50 points in 75 games; Caufield had 88 in 81 games.
This week Kreider has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Caufield has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Caufield for 1.6 ESPN points to Kreider's 1.0.
Cole Caufield has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kreider's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 34, High-danger chances 54.2%, Top skating speed 22.9.
Caufield's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.8, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37, Luck Meter +67.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chris Kreider
1.42
fantasy points per game
Cole Caufield
2.29
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Cole Caufield has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kreider | Caufield |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.55 | 1.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.35 | 0.43 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.17 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.32 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.12 |
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: Kreider vs Caufield
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kreider 8G 5A, 37 SOG · Caufield 7G 4A, 35 SOG
On the ice against each other (Kreider's side)
9:27 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kreider's side
- Shot attempts
- 22–4
- 84.6%
- Expected goals
- 1.4–0.2
- 89.7%
- Goals
- 3–1
On the ice together
10:31 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 8–10
- 44.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.6
- 23.7%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kreider | Caufield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | ANA 4–3 MTL | 0G 2A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2026-03-06 | ANA 6–5 MTL | 1G 3A 4S | 2G 1A 4S |
| 2025-01-19 | NYR 4–5 MTL | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-11-30 | NYR 4–3 MTL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2024-10-22 | NYR 7–2 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-04-07 | NYR 5–2 MTL | 1G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2024-02-15 | NYR 7–4 MTL | 3G 0A 6S | 2G 1A 6S |
| 2024-01-06 | NYR 3–4 MTL | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2023-01-05 | NYR 4–1 MTL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-10-16 | NYR 3–1 MTL | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
Chris Kreider
2games (1 left)
1.0proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 11th-fewest FP to LW
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.0 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to LW
Cole Caufield
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 11th-most FP to RW
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.6 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RW
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chris Kreider or Cole Caufield in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cole Caufield projects to 2.29 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chris Kreider's 1.42. Kreider had 50 points in 75 games; Caufield had 88 in 81 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, Chris Kreider or Cole Caufield?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Cole Caufield leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Kreider and Caufield done against each other?
- In 10 games against each other in our data, Kreider's team went 8–2. Kreider had 13 points (8 goals) and Caufield had 11 (7 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 →