Who to start · 2025-26
Christian Dvorak vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Christian Dvorak's 1.42.
Dvorak had 51 points in 80 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Dvorak has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Malinski for 1.4 ESPN points to Dvorak's 1.3.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Dvorak's biggest edges: Ice time per game 18:28, Ice-time share 30.1%, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.027.
Malinski's biggest edges: Fenwick 58.7%, Corsi 59.0%, Scoring chances 61.1%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Christian Dvorak
1.42
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Sam Malinski has the edge.
| Points per game from | Dvorak | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.40 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.36 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.06 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 0.64 |
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 Malinski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Dvorak 1G 1A, 10 SOG · Malinski 1G 0A, 5 SOG
On the ice against each other (Dvorak's side)
10:34 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Dvorak's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–12
- 33.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.7–0.2
- 79.6%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Dvorak | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | PHI 7–3 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-07 | PHI 2–3 COL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-22 | MTL 4–5 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-04 | MTL 2–1 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
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)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.3 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Christian Dvorak or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Christian Dvorak's 1.42. Dvorak had 51 points in 80 games; Malinski had 40 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 Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Dvorak and Malinski done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Dvorak's team went 2–2. Dvorak had 2 points (1 goals) and Malinski had 1 (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 →