Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Gabriel Vilardi
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Gabriel Vilardi projects to 1.76 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Vilardi had 69 in 82 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Vilardi has 1 left. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Vilardi's 1.6.
Gabriel Vilardi has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindell's biggest edges: Plus/minus +30, Faceoffs won 0, High-danger chances 55.4%.
Vilardi's biggest edges: Ascension score 56, Offensive-zone time 44.8%, Offensive-zone start % 65.5%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Gabriel Vilardi
1.76
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Gabriel Vilardi has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | Vilardi |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.69 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.51 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.17 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.20 |
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 Vilardi
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindell 1G 1A, 32 SOG · Vilardi 3G 9A, 37 SOG
Lindell blocked 9 of Vilardi's shots; Vilardi blocked 3 of Lindell's.
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
20:56 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 13–15
- 46.4%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–1.3
- 45.4%
- Goals
- 1–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Vilardi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-02 | DAL 3–0 WPG | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-02-02 | DAL 4–3 WPG | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-09 | DAL 4–3 WPG | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-10-09 | DAL 5–4 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-05-17 · PO | DAL 2–1 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-05-15 · PO | DAL 0–4 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-05-13 · PO | DAL 3–1 WPG | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-05-11 · PO | DAL 5–2 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-05-09 · PO | DAL 0–4 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-05-07 · PO | DAL 3–2 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2025-03-14 | DAL 1–4 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-12-01 | DAL 3–1 WPG | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
Latest 12 of 18 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.
Esa Lindell
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 11th-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Gabriel Vilardi
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOSOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET1.6 ptsLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Gabriel Vilardi in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Gabriel Vilardi projects to 1.76 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Vilardi had 69 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, Esa Lindell or Gabriel Vilardi?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Gabriel Vilardi leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Lindell and Vilardi done against each other?
- In 18 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 12–6. Lindell had 2 points (1 goals) and Vilardi had 12 (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 →