Who to start · 2025-26
Erik Karlsson vs Parker Wotherspoon
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Parker Wotherspoon's 1.29.
Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Wotherspoon had 30 in 80 games.
This week Karlsson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Wotherspoon has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Karlsson for 1.3 ESPN points to Wotherspoon's 1.3.
Erik Karlsson has the better number in 28 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Karlsson's biggest edges: Power-play share 74.2%, Power-play time per game 3:18, Top skating speed 23.7.
Wotherspoon's biggest edges: Hits 162, Penalty minutes 55, Blocked shots 112.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Erik Karlsson
1.96
fantasy points per game
Parker Wotherspoon
1.29
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Erik Karlsson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Karlsson | Wotherspoon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.38 | 0.07 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.30 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.08 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.18 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.43 | 0.65 |
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 Wotherspoon
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.
Karlsson 0G 1A, 5 SOG · Wotherspoon 0G 0A, 3 SOG
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
1163:52 at 5-on-5 over 81 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 1199–1011
- 54.3%
- Expected goals
- 54.6–49.6
- 52.4%
- Goals
- 61–51
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Karlsson | Wotherspoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-13 | PIT 1–4 BOS | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-01 | PIT 2–3 BOS | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-11-29 | PIT 2–1 BOS | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
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)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 2nd-most FP to DLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.3 ptsOpp allows 7th-fewest FP to Dvs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Parker Wotherspoon
3games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHIOpp allows 4th-most FP to DLikely vs Spencer Knight (.902)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANAOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.3 ptsOpp allows 5th-most FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Erik Karlsson or Parker Wotherspoon 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 Parker Wotherspoon's 1.29. Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Wotherspoon had 30 in 80 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 Parker Wotherspoon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Erik Karlsson leads in 28 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 Wotherspoon done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Karlsson's team went 1–2. Karlsson had 1 points (0 goals) and Wotherspoon had 0 (0 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 →