Who to start · 2025-26
Christian Dvorak vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Christian Dvorak projects to 1.42 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
Dvorak had 51 points in 80 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week Dvorak has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Cates has 1 left. We project Dvorak for 1.1 ESPN points to Cates's 1.0.
Noah Cates has the better number in 19 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Dvorak's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 199, Draw Equity /100 +0.056, Faceoff win % 54.5%.
Cates's biggest edges: Hits 102, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.031, Goals above expected −0.7.
Head to head on the dot, Dvorak leads Cates 9–8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Christian Dvorak
1.42
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Christian Dvorak has the edge.
| Points per game from | Dvorak | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.40 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.36 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.06 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 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: Dvorak vs Cates
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Dvorak 4G 2A, 14 SOG · Cates 0G 2A, 9 SOG
Dvorak's offensive zone 4–2 · neutral 3–5 · Dvorak's defensive zone 2–1 (2022-23 to 2024-25)
Dvorak blocked 2 of Cates's shots; Cates blocked 0 of Dvorak's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
7:07 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 4–6
- 40.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.3
- 31.6%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Dvorak | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-05 | MTL 3–2 PHI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-03-27 | MTL 4–6 PHI | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-10-27 | MTL 4–3 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-09 | MTL 9–3 PHI | 2G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-02-24 | MTL 5–2 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-19 | MTL 5–4 PHI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-04-21 | MTL 3–6 PHI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
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.
Christian Dvorak
3games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to CLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.1 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +12.2 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.0proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.0 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +12.2 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Christian Dvorak or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Christian Dvorak projects to 1.42 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Dvorak had 51 points in 80 games; Cates had 47 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, Christian Dvorak or Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Noah Cates leads in 19 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Dvorak and Cates done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Dvorak's team went 5–2. Dvorak had 6 points (4 goals) and Cates had 2 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Dvorak or Cates?
- Against each other, Dvorak has won 9 and Cates 8 of their 17 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 →