Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Elias Lindholm
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Elias Lindholm's 1.78.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Lindholm had 48 in 69 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Lindholm has 1 left. We project McDavid for 2.3 ESPN points to Lindholm's 1.2.
Connor McDavid has the better number in 28 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
McDavid's biggest edges: Top skating speed 24.6, 20+ mph bursts 681, Net penalties drawn /60 +1.05.
Lindholm's biggest edges: Hardest shot 88.3, Blocked shots 59, Draw Equity /100 +0.081.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Elias Lindholm
1.78
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Lindholm |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.55 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.46 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.13 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.06 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.41 |
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
Connor McDavid and Elias Lindholm have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).
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.
Connor McDavid
3games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VANOpp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VANOpp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA2.3 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)
Elias Lindholm
3games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 10th-most FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.2 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%Likely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor McDavid or Elias Lindholm in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Elias Lindholm's 1.78. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Lindholm had 48 in 69 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 McDavid or Elias Lindholm?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 28 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
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 →

