Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Emil Heineman vs Sam Malinski

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Emil Heineman projects to 1.57 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Heineman had 31 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Heineman has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Malinski has 1 left. We project Malinski for 1.4 ESPN points to Heineman's 1.2.

Sam Malinski has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Heineman's biggest edges: Hits 247, Blocked shots 54, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.032.

Malinski's biggest edges: High-danger chances 58.1%, Plus/minus +43, Luck Meter +47.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Emil Heineman

1.57

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Emil Heineman has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromHeinemanMalinski
Goals (+2)0.630.18
Assists (+1)0.100.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.020.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.210.20
Hits (+0.1)0.300.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.310.64

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: Heineman 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.

HeinemanMalinski
2Team record in 4 meetings2
1Points in those games3

Heineman 1G 0A, 6 SOG · Malinski 1G 2A, 8 SOG

1Hits on each other0

On the ice against each other (Heineman's side)

6:09 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Heineman's side

Shot attempts
6–10
37.5%
Expected goals
0.4–1.1
25.0%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Emil Heineman and Sam Malinski
DateScoreHeinemanMalinski
2025-12-04NYI 6–3 COL0G 0A 3S0G 1A 4S
2025-11-16NYI 1–4 COL1G 0A 1S0G 1A 2S
2025-03-22MTL 4–5 COL0G 0A 0S1G 0A 2S
2025-01-04MTL 2–1 COL0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S

Every stat, side by side

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

HeinemanMalinski

Fantasy box score

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.

Emil Heineman

2games (1 left)

1.2proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.2 pts
    Opp allows 8th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
    Schedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

FAQ

Should I start Emil Heineman or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Emil Heineman projects to 1.57 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Heineman had 31 points in 82 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, Emil Heineman 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 Heineman and Malinski done against each other?
In 4 games against each other in our data, Heineman's team went 2–2. Heineman had 1 points (1 goals) and Malinski had 3 (1 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 →