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Who to start · 2025-26

Esa Lindell vs Nico Hischier

Esa LindellEsa LindellStars · DefencevsNico HischierNico HischierDevils · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nico Hischier projects to 1.93 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.

Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Hischier had 66 in 82 games.

This week Lindell has 1 game left; Hischier has 1 left. We project Hischier for 2.0 ESPN points to Lindell's 1.9.

Nico Hischier has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Lindell's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1038, Luck Meter +59, Plus/minus +30.

Hischier's biggest edges: Hardest shot 89.4, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.007, Forecheck xG /60 0.33.

  • • 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, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Esa Lindell

1.72

fantasy points per game

Nico Hischier

1.93

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Nico Hischier has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromLindellHischier
Goals (+2)0.140.64
Assists (+1)0.300.43
Power-play points (+0.5)0.010.13
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.100.25
Hits (+0.1)0.050.08
Blocks (+0.5)1.120.39

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

Esa Lindell and Nico Hischier have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

LindellHischier

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 STL
    Likely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 pts
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)

Nico Hischier

2games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs PHI
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Joseph Woll (.899)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ NYI2.0 pts
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to Cvs Ilya Sorokin (.906)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Esa Lindell or Nico Hischier in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nico Hischier projects to 1.93 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Hischier had 66 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 Nico Hischier?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nico Hischier leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →