Who to start · 2025-26
Collin Graf vs Esa Lindell
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Esa Lindell projects to 1.72 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Collin Graf's 1.35.
Graf had 46 points in 81 games; Lindell had 32 in 82 games.
This week Graf has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Lindell has 1 left. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Graf's 1.4.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.
Graf's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.021, Top skating speed 22.9, 20+ mph bursts 123.
Lindell's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Sequence xG 54.7%, Expected goals 54.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Collin Graf
1.35
fantasy points per game
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Esa Lindell has the edge.
| Points per game from | Graf | Lindell |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.14 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.29 | 0.30 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.14 | 0.10 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 1.12 |
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: Graf vs Lindell
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.
Graf 3G 1A, 7 SOG · Lindell 0G 3A, 2 SOG
On the ice against each other (Graf's side)
12:10 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Graf's side
- Shot attempts
- 13–10
- 56.5%
- Expected goals
- 1.2–0.2
- 84.1%
- Goals
- 2–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Graf | Lindell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-10 | SJS 5–4 DAL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-12-18 | SJS 3–5 DAL | 2G 0A 4S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2025-12-05 | SJS 1–4 DAL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-02-08 | SJS 3–8 DAL | 0G 0A 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.
Collin Graf
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to RWSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
Esa Lindell
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Collin Graf or Esa Lindell in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Esa Lindell projects to 1.72 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Collin Graf's 1.35. Graf had 46 points in 81 games; Lindell had 32 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, Collin Graf or Esa Lindell?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Graf and Lindell done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Graf's team went 1–3. Graf had 4 points (3 goals) and Lindell had 3 (0 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 →