Who to start · 2025-26
Chris Kreider vs Erik Karlsson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chris Kreider's 1.42.
Kreider had 50 points in 75 games; Karlsson had 66 in 75 games.
This week Kreider has 1 game left; Karlsson has 1 left. We project Karlsson for 1.9 ESPN points to Kreider's 1.5.
Erik Karlsson has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kreider's biggest edges: Hits 69, Penalty minutes 34, Sequence xG 54.9%.
Karlsson's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 0.00, Goals above expected +2.1, Faceoffs won 0.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chris Kreider
1.42
fantasy points per game
Erik Karlsson
1.96
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Erik Karlsson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kreider | Karlsson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.55 | 0.38 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.35 | 0.70 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.19 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.43 |
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 Karlsson
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.
Kreider 9G 10A, 48 SOG · Karlsson 1G 5A, 35 SOG
Kreider blocked 2 of Karlsson's shots; Karlsson blocked 0 of Kreider's.
On the ice against each other (Kreider's side)
8:40 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kreider's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–5
- 58.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.2
- 57.2%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kreider | Karlsson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-09 | ANA 4–3 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 5S |
| 2025-10-14 | ANA 4–3 PIT | 2G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-02-07 | NYR 2–3 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-12-06 | NYR 4–2 PIT | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-10-09 | NYR 6–0 PIT | 2G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-04-01 | NYR 2–5 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-03-16 | NYR 7–4 PIT | 1G 2A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-11-22 | NYR 1–0 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-11-19 | NYR 2–1 SJS | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-10-20 | NYR 2–3 SJS | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2022-01-13 | NYR 3–0 SJS | 2G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2021-12-03 | NYR 1–0 SJS | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
Latest 12 of 17 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.
Chris Kreider
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.5 pts
Erik Karlsson
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.9 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chris Kreider or Erik Karlsson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chris Kreider's 1.42. Kreider had 50 points in 75 games; Karlsson had 66 in 75 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 Erik Karlsson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Erik Karlsson 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 Karlsson done against each other?
- In 17 games against each other in our data, Kreider's team went 13–4. Kreider had 19 points (9 goals) and Karlsson had 6 (1 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 →