Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Parker Kelly
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Parker Kelly's 1.51.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Kelly had 35 in 82 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kelly has 1 left. We project McDavid for 2.3 ESPN points to Kelly's 1.2.
Connor McDavid has the better number in 22 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
McDavid's biggest edges: Power-play share 88.5%, Power-play time per game 3:35, Power-play points 54.
Kelly's biggest edges: Goals above expected +8.2, Hardest shot 90.3, Hits 177.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Parker Kelly
1.51
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Kelly |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.22 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.13 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.22 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.33 |
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 Kelly
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
McDavid 5G 8A, 40 SOG · Kelly 4G 2A, 18 SOG
McDavid's offensive zone 2–0 · neutral 2–1 · McDavid's defensive zone 0–0 (2024-25 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (McDavid's side)
4:04 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side
- Shot attempts
- 2–5
- 28.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.3
- 47.1%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McDavid | Kelly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-13 | EDM 1–2 COL | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-03-10 | EDM 4–3 COL | 1G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-08 | EDM 1–9 COL | 1G 0A 4S | 2G 1A 4S |
| 2025-02-07 | EDM 4–5 COL | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-16 | EDM 4–3 COL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-30 | EDM 4–1 COL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-03-24 | EDM 3–5 OTT | 0G 2A 3S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2024-01-06 | EDM 3–1 OTT | 0G 1A 8S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2023-02-11 | EDM 6–3 OTT | 1G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
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 C
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VANOpp allows 4th-most FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA2.3 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to C
Parker Kelly
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor McDavid or Parker Kelly 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 Parker Kelly's 1.51. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Kelly had 35 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 Parker Kelly?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 22 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 Kelly done against each other?
- In 9 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 5–4. McDavid had 13 points (5 goals) and Kelly had 6 (4 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, McDavid or Kelly?
- Against each other, McDavid has won 4 and Kelly 1 of their 5 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 →