Who to start · 2025-26
Erik Karlsson vs Matty Beniers
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matty Beniers's 1.73.
Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Beniers had 50 in 82 games.
This week Karlsson has 1 game left; Beniers has 2 left. We project Beniers for 3.1 ESPN points to Karlsson's 1.9.
Erik Karlsson has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Karlsson's biggest edges: Top skating speed 23.7, Corsi 54.0%, Goals above expected +2.1.
Beniers's biggest edges: Blocked shots 69, Ascension score 53, Penalty minutes 23.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Erik Karlsson
1.96
fantasy points per game
Matty Beniers
1.73
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Erik Karlsson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Karlsson | Beniers |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.38 | 0.58 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.06 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.43 | 0.46 |
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 Beniers
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Karlsson 0G 4A, 15 SOG · Beniers 3G 2A, 6 SOG
Karlsson blocked 1 of Beniers's shots; Beniers blocked 1 of Karlsson's.
On the ice against each other (Karlsson's side)
2:43 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Karlsson's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–0
- 100.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.0
- 100.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Karlsson | Beniers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-22 | PIT 2–3 SEA | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-01-25 | PIT 1–4 SEA | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-01-14 | PIT 2–4 SEA | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-02-29 | PIT 0–2 SEA | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-03-16 | SJS 1–2 SEA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-02-20 | SJS 4–0 SEA | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-11-23 | SJS 5–8 SEA | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 2A 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
Matty Beniers
3games (2 left)
3.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGY
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.6 pts
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.6 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Erik Karlsson or Matty Beniers in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matty Beniers's 1.73. Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Beniers had 50 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, Erik Karlsson or Matty Beniers?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Erik Karlsson leads in 23 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 Beniers done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Karlsson's team went 1–6. Karlsson had 4 points (0 goals) and Beniers 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 →