Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Mike Matheson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Matheson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Matheson's 1.3.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 16–16.
Lindell's biggest edges: High-danger chances 55.4%, Expected goals 54.9%, Sequence xG 54.7%.
Matheson's biggest edges: Hardest shot 100.6, 20+ mph bursts 90, Top skating speed 22.8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Mike Matheson
1.80
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mike Matheson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | Matheson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.17 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.42 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.96 |
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 Matheson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindell 2G 2A, 16 SOG · Matheson 0G 4A, 23 SOG
Lindell blocked 2 of Matheson's shots; Matheson blocked 1 of Lindell's.
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
13:42 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 13–7
- 65.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.2
- 81.2%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Matheson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-04 | DAL 3–4 MTL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-13 | DAL 7–0 MTL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-16 | DAL 1–3 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-11 | DAL 2–1 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-02-10 | DAL 3–2 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2024-01-02 | DAL 3–4 MTL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-01-08 | DAL 3–2 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2021-10-19 | DAL 2–1 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2019-12-20 | DAL 4–7 FLA | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2019-03-19 | DAL 4–2 FLA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-02-12 | DAL 3–0 FLA | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-01-23 | DAL 6–1 FLA | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 13 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 STLOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to D
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to D
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.3 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to D
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Mike Matheson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 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 Mike Matheson?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 16–16 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Lindell and Matheson done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 8–5. Lindell had 4 points (2 goals) and Matheson had 4 (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 →