Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Nathan MacKinnon
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; MacKinnon has 1 left. We project MacKinnon for 3.2 ESPN points to Lindell's 1.7.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 29 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindell's biggest edges: Blocked shots 179, Shorthanded points 2, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.13.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 455, Top skating speed 24.8, Offensive-zone time 46.6%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Nathan MacKinnon
3.32
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 1.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.87 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.21 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.46 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.21 |
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 MacKinnon
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 4G 9A, 50 SOG · MacKinnon 23G 30A, 216 SOG
Lindell blocked 22 of MacKinnon's shots; MacKinnon blocked 1 of Lindell's.
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
38:41 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 23–52
- 30.7%
- Expected goals
- 1.8–1.7
- 51.0%
- Goals
- 1–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-04 | DAL 0–2 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2026-03-18 | DAL 2–1 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2026-03-06 | DAL 4–5 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2025-10-11 | DAL 5–4 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 2A 4S |
| 2025-05-03 · PO | DAL 4–2 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2025-05-01 · PO | DAL 4–7 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2025-04-28 · PO | DAL 6–2 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 7S |
| 2025-04-26 · PO | DAL 0–4 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-04-23 · PO | DAL 2–1 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 9S |
| 2025-04-21 · PO | DAL 4–3 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-04-19 · PO | DAL 1–5 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 2G 1A 7S |
| 2025-03-16 | DAL 3–4 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
Latest 12 of 43 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)
1.7proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.7 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Nathan MacKinnon
2games (1 left)
3.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL3.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Nathan MacKinnon in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 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 Nathan MacKinnon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 29 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 MacKinnon done against each other?
- In 43 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 21–22. Lindell had 13 points (4 goals) and MacKinnon had 53 (23 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 →