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Who to start · 2025-26

Conor Garland vs Nathan MacKinnon

Conor GarlandConor GarlandBlue Jackets · Right wingvsNathan MacKinnonNathan MacKinnonAvalanche · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Conor Garland's 1.16.

Garland had 33 points in 71 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.

This week Garland has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; MacKinnon has 1 left. We project MacKinnon for 2.8 ESPN points to Garland's 0.8.

Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 31 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Garland's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.017, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.44, Shorthanded points 1.

MacKinnon's biggest edges: Plus/minus +57, Luck Meter +48, Goals above expected +3.0.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Conor Garland

1.16

fantasy points per game

Nathan MacKinnon

3.32

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromGarlandMacKinnon
Goals (+2)0.321.49
Assists (+1)0.280.87
Power-play points (+0.5)0.070.21
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.180.46
Hits (+0.1)0.070.09
Blocks (+0.5)0.240.21

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

Conor Garland and Nathan MacKinnon have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

GarlandMacKinnon

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.

Conor Garland

2games (1 left)

0.8proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to RWLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA0.8 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Nathan MacKinnon

2games (1 left)

2.8proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.8 pts
    Schedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Conor Garland or Nathan MacKinnon in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Conor Garland's 1.16. Garland had 33 points in 71 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 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, Conor Garland or Nathan MacKinnon?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 31 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →