Who to start · 2025-26
Elias Pettersson vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Elias Pettersson projects to 2.34 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Pettersson had 51 points in 74 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Pettersson has 2 games left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Pettersson for 4.1 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Pettersson's biggest edges: Ascension score 57, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.002, Ice time per game 18:58.
Malinski's biggest edges: Plus/minus +43, Scoring chances 61.1%, Expected goals 62.1%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Elias Pettersson
2.34
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Elias Pettersson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Pettersson | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.59 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.55 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.13 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.70 | 0.64 |
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: Pettersson vs Malinski
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.
Pettersson 0G 1A, 11 SOG · Malinski 2G 2A, 10 SOG
Pettersson blocked 0 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 1 of Pettersson's.
On the ice against each other (Pettersson's side)
10:13 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Pettersson's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–19
- 17.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.9
- 5.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Pettersson | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-01 | VAN 8–6 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 2G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-02 | VAN 1–3 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-11-09 | VAN 4–5 COL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-02-04 | VAN 3–0 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-16 | VAN 3–1 COL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 4S |
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 Pettersson
4games (2 left)
4.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ EDM
- Thu, Oct 1 vs EDM
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY2.0 pts
- Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B2.0 pts
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Elias Pettersson or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Elias Pettersson projects to 2.34 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Pettersson had 51 points in 74 games; Malinski had 40 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, Elias Pettersson or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Pettersson and Malinski done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Pettersson's team went 3–2. Pettersson had 1 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 4 (2 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 →