Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Robert Thomas
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Thomas has 1 left. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Thomas's 1.9.
Robert Thomas has the better number in 27 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindell's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 −0.13, Hits 30, Blocked shots 179.
Thomas's biggest edges: Top skating speed 23.3, Offensive-zone time 45.0%, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.004.
- • 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, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Robert Thomas
1.89
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Robert Thomas has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.73 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.29 |
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 Thomas
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindell 2G 7A, 40 SOG · Thomas 3G 12A, 42 SOG
Lindell blocked 2 of Thomas's shots; Thomas blocked 0 of Lindell's.
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
12:23 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 11–9
- 55.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.3
- 63.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Thomas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-02 | DAL 0–4 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-10-18 | DAL 1–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-02 | DAL 6–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-25 | DAL 2–0 STL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-12-14 | DAL 2–1 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-04-17 | DAL 2–1 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2023-12-27 | DAL 1–2 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-12-16 | DAL 3–4 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2023-10-12 | DAL 2–1 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-04-13 | DAL 1–0 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-04-12 | DAL 5–2 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2022-01-09 | DAL 1–2 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
Latest 12 of 27 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 −13.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Robert Thomas
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DALOpp allows 3rd-most FP to CLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to CSchedule edge −16.8 win%vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Robert Thomas in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 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 Robert Thomas?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Robert Thomas leads in 27 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 Thomas done against each other?
- In 27 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 15–12. Lindell had 9 points (2 goals) and Thomas 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 →