Who to start · 2025-26
Elias Lindholm vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Elias Lindholm's 1.78.
Lindholm had 48 points in 69 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Lindholm has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Smith for 1.9 ESPN points to Lindholm's 1.2.
Will Smith has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindholm's biggest edges: Blocked shots 59, Faceoffs won 660, Penalty minutes 38.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, 20+ mph bursts 95, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.10.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Elias Lindholm
1.78
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Will Smith has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindholm | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.55 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.46 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.41 | 0.08 |
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: Lindholm vs Smith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindholm 1G 1A, 7 SOG · Smith 1G 2A, 12 SOG
Lindholm's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Lindholm's defensive zone 1–1 (2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Lindholm's side)
3:18 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Lindholm's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–0
- 100.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.0
- 100.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindholm | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | BOS 2–4 SJS | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-11-23 | BOS 1–3 SJS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 7S |
| 2025-03-22 | BOS 1–3 SJS | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-01-20 | BOS 6–3 SJS | 1G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 2S |
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.
Elias Lindholm
3games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGOpp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.2 ptsOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 ptsOpp allows the most FP to CSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Elias Lindholm or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Elias Lindholm's 1.78. Lindholm had 48 points in 69 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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, Elias Lindholm or Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Will Smith leads in 26 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Lindholm and Smith done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Lindholm's team went 1–3. Lindholm had 2 points (1 goals) and Smith had 3 (1 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Lindholm or Smith?
- Against each other, Lindholm has won 1 and Smith 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 →