Who to start · 2025-26
Clayton Keller vs Evgeni Malkin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Clayton Keller projects to 2.15 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Evgeni Malkin's 2.12.
Keller had 88 points in 82 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 games.
This week Keller has 2 games left with 1 tough matchup; Malkin has 1 left. We project Keller for 3.1 ESPN points to Malkin's 1.7.
Clayton Keller has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Keller's biggest edges: Top skating speed 22.8, 20+ mph bursts 147, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.19.
Malkin's biggest edges: Luck Meter +38, Goals above expected −1.1, Faceoffs won 109.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Clayton Keller
2.15
fantasy points per game
Evgeni Malkin
2.12
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Clayton Keller has the edge.
| Points per game from | Keller | Malkin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.59 | 0.76 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.83 | 0.70 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.22 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.28 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.01 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.14 |
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: Keller vs Malkin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Keller 3G 7A, 31 SOG · Malkin 5G 11A, 46 SOG
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Keller | Malkin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-23 | UTA 6–1 PIT | 0G 3A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-01-22 | ARI 5–2 PIT | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-12-12 | ARI 2–4 PIT | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2023-01-08 | ARI 1–4 PIT | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-10-13 | ARI 2–6 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2022-03-19 | ARI 1–4 PIT | 1G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 8S |
| 2022-01-25 | ARI 3–6 PIT | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2020-01-12 | ARI 3–4 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2019-12-06 | ARI 0–2 PIT | 0G 0A 5S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2019-01-18 | ARI 2–3 PIT | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 6S |
| 2018-11-10 | ARI 0–4 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2017-12-16 | ARI 2–4 PIT | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 5S |
Latest 12 of 13 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.
Clayton Keller
3games (2 left)
3.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 4th-most FP to RWLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.4 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Evgeni Malkin
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 5th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.7 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Clayton Keller or Evgeni Malkin in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Clayton Keller projects to 2.15 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Evgeni Malkin's 2.12. Keller had 88 points in 82 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 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, Clayton Keller or Evgeni Malkin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Clayton Keller leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Keller and Malkin done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, Keller's team went 2–11. Keller had 10 points (3 goals) and Malkin had 16 (5 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 →