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Who to start · 2025-26

Connor Bedard vs Mattias Ekholm

Connor BedardConnor BedardBlackhawks · CentrevsMattias EkholmMattias EkholmOilers · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor Bedard projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43.

Bedard had 75 points in 69 games; Ekholm had 41 in 82 games.

This week Bedard has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Ekholm has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Bedard for 2.4 ESPN points to Ekholm's 1.1.

Connor Bedard has the better number in 20 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Bedard's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 195, Power-play share 74.8%, Luck Meter +36.

Ekholm's biggest edges: High-danger chances 58.3%, Scoring chances 57.3%, Plus/minus +32.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Connor Bedard

2.24

fantasy points per game

Mattias Ekholm

1.59

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Connor Bedard has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromBedardEkholm
Goals (+2)0.870.15
Assists (+1)0.650.43
Power-play points (+0.5)0.150.02
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.330.16
Hits (+0.1)0.040.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.200.76

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: Bedard vs Ekholm

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

BedardEkholm
1Team record in 6 meetings5
7Points in those games1

Bedard 2G 5A, 13 SOG · Ekholm 0G 1A, 7 SOG

0Hits on each other1
1Shots blocked by the other5

Bedard blocked 1 of Ekholm's shots; Ekholm blocked 5 of Bedard's.

On the ice against each other (Bedard's side)

10:18 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Bedard's side

Shot attempts
13–13
50.0%
Expected goals
0.4–0.3
53.3%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Connor Bedard and Mattias Ekholm
DateScoreBedardEkholm
2026-04-02CHI 1–3 EDM0G 1A 3S0G 0A 0S
2025-11-01CHI 2–3 EDM0G 1A 4S0G 0A 0S
2025-02-05CHI 3–4 EDM0G 1A 3S0G 0A 2S
2025-01-11CHI 3–4 EDM0G 0A 0S0G 0A 0S
2024-10-12CHI 5–2 EDM1G 2A 1S0G 1A 4S
2023-12-12CHI 1–4 EDM1G 0A 2S0G 0A 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.

BedardEkholm

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Connor Bedard

3games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to CLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF2.4 pts
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)

Mattias Ekholm

3games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.1 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Connor Bedard or Mattias Ekholm in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor Bedard projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43. Bedard had 75 points in 69 games; Ekholm had 41 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, Connor Bedard or Mattias Ekholm?
On 2025-26 numbers, Connor Bedard leads in 20 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Bedard and Ekholm done against each other?
In 6 games against each other in our data, Bedard's team went 1–5. Bedard had 7 points (2 goals) and Ekholm had 1 (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 →