Who to start · 2025-26
Erik Karlsson vs Travis Sanheim
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Travis Sanheim's 1.84.
Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Sanheim had 37 in 81 games.
This week Karlsson has 1 game left; Sanheim has 1 left. We project Karlsson for 1.9 ESPN points to Sanheim's 1.7.
Erik Karlsson has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Karlsson's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Offensive-zone start % 52.8%, Corsi 54.0%.
Sanheim's biggest edges: Blocked shots 152, Hits 46, Shorthanded points 3.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Erik Karlsson
1.96
fantasy points per game
Travis Sanheim
1.84
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Erik Karlsson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Karlsson | Sanheim |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.38 | 0.36 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.34 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.02 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.14 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.43 | 0.92 |
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 Sanheim
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 7G 17A, 63 SOG · Sanheim 3G 4A, 29 SOG
Karlsson blocked 1 of Sanheim's shots; Sanheim blocked 3 of Karlsson's.
On the ice against each other (Karlsson's side)
88:33 at 5-on-5 over 10 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27, from Karlsson's side
- Shot attempts
- 89–72
- 55.3%
- Expected goals
- 3.4–3.7
- 47.6%
- Goals
- 2–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Karlsson | Sanheim |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-30 | PIT 7–0 PHI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-04-29 · PO | PIT 0–1 PHI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-27 · PO | PIT 3–2 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-25 · PO | PIT 4–2 PHI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-04-22 · PO | PIT 2–5 PHI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-04-20 · PO | PIT 0–3 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-04-18 · PO | PIT 2–3 PHI | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2026-03-07 | PIT 3–4 PHI | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-01 | PIT 5–1 PHI | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-10-28 | PIT 2–3 PHI | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-02-27 | PIT 5–4 PHI | 2G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-02-25 | PIT 1–6 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
Latest 12 of 25 meetings.
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
Travis Sanheim
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.7 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Erik Karlsson or Travis Sanheim 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 Travis Sanheim's 1.84. Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games; Sanheim had 37 in 81 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 Travis Sanheim?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Erik Karlsson leads in 20 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 Sanheim done against each other?
- In 25 games against each other in our data, Karlsson's team went 14–11. Karlsson had 24 points (7 goals) and Sanheim had 7 (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 →