Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Esa Lindell
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Lindell had 32 in 82 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Lindell has 1 left. We project McDavid for 2.3 ESPN points to Lindell's 1.9.
Connor McDavid has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
McDavid's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 681, Ascension score 62, Top skating speed 24.6.
Lindell's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1038, Blocked shots 179, Luck Meter +45.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Lindell |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.14 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.30 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.10 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 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: McDavid vs Lindell
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
McDavid 14G 34A, 115 SOG · Lindell 4G 6A, 36 SOG
McDavid blocked 1 of Lindell's shots; Lindell blocked 11 of McDavid's.
On the ice against each other (McDavid's side)
24:14 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side
- Shot attempts
- 19–26
- 42.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–2.6
- 22.9%
- Goals
- 1–6
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McDavid | Lindell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | EDM 2–7 DAL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-11-25 | EDM 3–8 DAL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-04 | EDM 3–4 DAL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-05-29 · PO | EDM 6–3 DAL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-05-27 · PO | EDM 4–1 DAL | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-05-25 · PO | EDM 6–1 DAL | 2G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-23 · PO | EDM 3–0 DAL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-21 · PO | EDM 3–6 DAL | 0G 2A 4S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-08 | EDM 5–4 DAL | 1G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-10-19 | EDM 1–4 DAL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-06-02 · PO | EDM 2–1 DAL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-05-31 · PO | EDM 3–1 DAL | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
Latest 12 of 33 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.
Connor McDavid
3games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VANOpp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VANOpp allows 6th-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)
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 Connor McDavid or Esa Lindell 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 Esa Lindell's 1.72. McDavid had 138 points in 82 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, Connor McDavid or Esa Lindell?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 26 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have McDavid and Lindell done against each other?
- In 33 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 17–16. McDavid had 48 points (14 goals) and Lindell had 10 (4 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 →