Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to Lindell's 1.9.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 25 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindell's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1038, Hits 30, Faceoffs won 0.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052, 20+ mph bursts 208, Offensive-zone time 45.4%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.30 |
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 Schmaltz
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 1G 6A, 39 SOG · Schmaltz 3G 12A, 36 SOG
Lindell blocked 3 of Schmaltz's shots; Schmaltz blocked 2 of Lindell's.
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
25:49 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 21–22
- 48.8%
- Expected goals
- 1.5–0.6
- 70.2%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | DAL 3–6 UTA | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-01-31 | DAL 3–2 UTA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-01-15 | DAL 1–2 UTA | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2025-11-28 | DAL 4–3 UTA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-01-04 | DAL 3–2 UTA | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-23 | DAL 3–2 UTA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2024-12-02 | DAL 2–1 UTA | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-24 | DAL 4–2 ARI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-03-20 | DAL 5–2 ARI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-11-14 | DAL 4–3 ARI | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-03-31 | DAL 5–2 ARI | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-03-01 | DAL 4–2 ARI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
Latest 12 of 21 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 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)
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 8th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Nick Schmaltz in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Schmaltz had 74 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 Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 25 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 Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 21 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 17–4. Lindell had 7 points (1 goals) and Schmaltz had 15 (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 →