Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Lawson Crouse
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Lawson Crouse's 1.65.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Crouse had 44 in 81 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Crouse has 2 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Crouse for 2.4 ESPN points to McDavid's 2.3.
Connor McDavid has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
McDavid's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +1.05, Offensive-zone time 47.7%, Ascension score 62.
Crouse's biggest edges: Hardest shot 92.8, Hits 212, Goals above expected +3.8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Lawson Crouse
1.65
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Crouse |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.56 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.29 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.04 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.17 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.28 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.30 |
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 Crouse
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
McDavid 24G 16A, 72 SOG · Crouse 4G 8A, 27 SOG
McDavid's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 1–1 · McDavid's defensive zone 0–0 (2018-19)
McDavid blocked 0 of Crouse's shots; Crouse blocked 2 of McDavid's.
On the ice against each other (McDavid's side)
22:42 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side
- Shot attempts
- 30–16
- 65.2%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–0.6
- 64.4%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McDavid | Crouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | EDM 5–6 UTA | 1G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2026-03-24 | EDM 5–2 UTA | 2G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-28 | EDM 6–3 UTA | 2G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-03-18 | EDM 7–1 UTA | 1G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-31 | EDM 4–1 UTA | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-11-29 | EDM 4–3 UTA | 1G 1A 6S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-17 | EDM 2–5 ARI | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-02-19 | EDM 6–3 ARI | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-03-27 | EDM 5–4 ARI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 3A 1S |
| 2023-03-22 | EDM 4–3 ARI | 2G 0A 7S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-12-07 | EDM 8–2 ARI | 2G 2A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-03-28 | EDM 6–1 ARI | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
Latest 12 of 20 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 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)
Lawson Crouse
3games (2 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 2nd-most FP to LWLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.2 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.2 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor McDavid or Lawson Crouse 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 Lawson Crouse's 1.65. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Crouse had 44 in 81 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 Lawson Crouse?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 24 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 Crouse done against each other?
- In 20 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 15–5. McDavid had 40 points (24 goals) and Crouse had 12 (4 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, McDavid or Crouse?
- Against each other, McDavid has won 1 and Crouse 1 of their 2 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 →