Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Matthew Schaefer
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Lindell's 1.9.
Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindell's biggest edges: High-danger chances 55.4%, Expected goals 54.9%, Sequence xG 54.7%.
Schaefer's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 269, Top skating speed 23.1, Transition attempts /60 0.60.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Matthew Schaefer
2.02
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.53 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.67 |
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 Schaefer
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindell 0G 0A, 5 SOG · Schaefer 0G 2A, 4 SOG
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
15:03 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–10
- 47.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.7
- 44.9%
- Goals
- 0–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-26 | DAL 1–2 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2025-11-18 | DAL 2–3 NYI | 0G 0A 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.
Esa Lindell
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to D
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to D
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 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 Matthew Schaefer?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer leads in 24 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 Schaefer done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 0–2. Lindell had 0 points (0 goals) and Schaefer had 2 (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 →