Who to start · 2025-26
Erik Karlsson vs Evgeni Malkin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Erik Karlsson's 1.96.
Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 games.
This week Karlsson has 1 game left; Malkin has 1 left. We project Malkin for 2.1 ESPN points to Karlsson's 1.9.
Erik Karlsson has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Karlsson's biggest edges: Top skating speed 23.7, Net penalties drawn /60 0.00, 20+ mph bursts 153.
Malkin's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 61, Offensive-zone start % 76.9%, Plus/minus +13.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Erik Karlsson
1.96
fantasy points per game
Evgeni Malkin
2.12
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Karlsson | Malkin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.38 | 0.76 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.70 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.22 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.43 | 0.14 |
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: Karlsson vs Malkin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Karlsson 1G 5A, 21 SOG · Malkin 3G 2A, 13 SOG
Karlsson blocked 1 of Malkin's shots; Malkin blocked 7 of Karlsson's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
261:57 at 5-on-5 over 57 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 252–239
- 51.3%
- Expected goals
- 14.6–12.2
- 54.5%
- Goals
- 15–8
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Karlsson | Malkin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-02-14 | SJS 1–3 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-01-28 | SJS 6–4 PIT | 1G 1A 2S | 2G 1A 2S |
| 2022-01-15 | SJS 1–2 PIT | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2020-01-02 | SJS 3–2 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2019-02-21 | SJS 4–0 PIT | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-01-15 | SJS 5–2 PIT | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-02-13 | OTT 3–6 PIT | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2017-11-16 | OTT 1–3 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 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.
Erik Karlsson
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.9 pts
Evgeni Malkin
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.1 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Erik Karlsson or Evgeni Malkin in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Erik Karlsson's 1.96. Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 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, Erik Karlsson or Evgeni Malkin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Erik Karlsson leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Karlsson and Malkin done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Karlsson's team went 4–4. Karlsson had 6 points (1 goals) and Malkin had 5 (3 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 →