Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell 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 Esa Lindell's 1.72.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Malkin had 61 in 56 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Malkin has 1 left. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Malkin's 1.6.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.
Lindell's biggest edges: Blocked shots 179, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.13, Faceoffs won 0.
Malkin's biggest edges: Hardest shot 93.1, Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Offensive-zone time 44.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
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 | Lindell | Malkin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.76 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.70 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.22 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 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: Lindell vs Malkin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindell 0G 2A, 11 SOG · Malkin 3G 5A, 23 SOG
Lindell blocked 4 of Malkin's shots; Malkin blocked 0 of Lindell's.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Malkin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-05 | DAL 3–5 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-11-11 | DAL 7–1 PIT | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-03-22 | DAL 4–2 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2023-10-24 | DAL 4–1 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-03-23 | DAL 3–2 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-12-12 | DAL 1–2 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2018-11-21 | DAL 1–5 PIT | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2018-03-11 | DAL 1–3 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2018-02-09 | DAL 4–3 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 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.
Esa Lindell
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Evgeni Malkin
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.6 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to CLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell 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 Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 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, Esa Lindell or Evgeni Malkin?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Lindell and Malkin done against each other?
- In 9 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 5–4. Lindell had 2 points (0 goals) and Malkin had 8 (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 →