Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Jamie Benn
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jamie Benn's 1.27.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Benn had 36 in 60 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Benn has 1 left. We project McDavid for 2.3 ESPN points to Benn's 1.4.
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.
Benn's biggest edges: Hardest shot 90.2, On-ice PDO 1038, Hits 79.
Head to head on the dot, Benn leads McDavid 36–23.
- • 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, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Jamie Benn
1.27
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Benn |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.33 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.11 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.13 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.18 |
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 Benn
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 13G 33A, 112 SOG · Benn 14G 14A, 69 SOG
McDavid's offensive zone 5–13 · neutral 10–15 · McDavid's defensive zone 8–8 (2017-18 to 2024-25)
McDavid blocked 2 of Benn's shots; Benn blocked 1 of McDavid's.
On the ice against each other (McDavid's side)
8:15 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–7
- 56.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–1.3
- 29.0%
- Goals
- 1–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McDavid | Benn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | EDM 2–7 DAL | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 2S |
| 2025-11-25 | EDM 3–8 DAL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 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 1S |
| 2025-05-25 · PO | EDM 6–1 DAL | 2G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-05-23 · PO | EDM 3–0 DAL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-05-21 · PO | EDM 3–6 DAL | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-03-08 | EDM 5–4 DAL | 1G 1A 4S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 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 |
| 2024-05-29 · PO | EDM 5–2 DAL | 0G 3A 5S | 0G 2A 1S |
Latest 12 of 32 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)
Jamie Benn
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor McDavid or Jamie Benn 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 Jamie Benn's 1.27. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Benn had 36 in 60 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 Jamie Benn?
- 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.
- How have McDavid and Benn done against each other?
- In 32 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 17–15. McDavid had 46 points (13 goals) and Benn had 28 (14 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, McDavid or Benn?
- Against each other, McDavid has won 23 and Benn 36 of their 59 head-to-head draws.
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 →