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Who to start · 2025-26

Connor McDavid vs John Klingberg

Connor McDavidConnor McDavidOilers · CentrevsJohn KlingbergJohn KlingbergSharks · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to John Klingberg's 1.52.

McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Klingberg had 27 in 56 games.

This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Klingberg has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project McDavid for 2.3 ESPN points to Klingberg's 1.8.

Connor McDavid has the better number in 27 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

McDavid's biggest edges: Top skating speed 24.6, 20+ mph bursts 681, Plus/minus +17.

Klingberg's biggest edges: Hardest shot 93.7, Goals above expected +4.2, Luck Meter +49.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Connor McDavid

3.21

fantasy points per game

John Klingberg

1.52

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMcDavidKlingberg
Goals (+2)1.170.36
Assists (+1)1.100.30
Power-play points (+0.5)0.330.08
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.370.14
Hits (+0.1)0.050.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.180.55

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 Klingberg

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.

McDavidKlingberg
8Team record in 15 meetings7
30Points in those games14

McDavid 10G 20A, 64 SOG · Klingberg 3G 11A, 27 SOG

0Hits on each other3
2Shots blocked by the other1

McDavid blocked 2 of Klingberg's shots; Klingberg blocked 1 of McDavid's.

1Penalties drawn off the other0

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

16:57 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side

Shot attempts
19–12
61.3%
Expected goals
1.6–0.7
68.3%
Goals
3–2

Games against each other

Games between Connor McDavid and John Klingberg
DateScoreMcDavidKlingberg
2026-04-08EDM 5–2 SJS3G 2A 8S0G 0A 0S
2026-03-17EDM 5–3 SJS0G 1A 5S0G 0A 1S
2026-02-28EDM 4–5 SJS0G 3A 3S0G 1A 1S
2026-01-29EDM 4–3 SJS1G 1A 2S0G 0A 2S
2023-01-11EDM 6–2 ANA1G 1A 8S0G 0A 2S
2022-12-17EDM 3–4 ANA1G 1A 8S1G 0A 1S
2022-04-20EDM 5–2 DAL1G 2A 4S0G 1A 4S
2022-03-22EDM 3–5 DAL0G 2A 2S0G 2A 3S
2021-11-23EDM 1–4 DAL0G 0A 3S0G 3A 0S
2020-03-03EDM 2–1 DAL0G 1A 4S1G 0A 3S
2019-12-16EDM 2–1 DAL0G 2A 3S0G 0A 3S
2019-03-28EDM 2–3 DAL1G 1A 5S0G 0A 3S

Latest 12 of 15 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.

McDavidKlingberg

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 McDavid

3games (1 left)

2.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA2.3 pts
    Opp allows 6th-fewest FP to C

John Klingberg

2games (1 left)

1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.8 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to D

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Connor McDavid or John Klingberg 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 John Klingberg's 1.52. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Klingberg had 27 in 56 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 John Klingberg?
On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 27 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have McDavid and Klingberg done against each other?
In 15 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 8–7. McDavid had 30 points (10 goals) and Klingberg had 14 (3 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 →