Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Esa Lindell projects to 1.72 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.1.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindell's biggest edges: Ice time per game 23:14, Ice-time share 38.1%, Blocked shots 179.
Malinski's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.44, 20+ mph bursts 116, Transition attempts /60 0.77.
- • 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
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Esa Lindell has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.64 |
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 Malinski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindell 0G 3A, 9 SOG · Malinski 0G 3A, 21 SOG
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
23:58 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–41
- 8.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–1.1
- 6.3%
- Goals
- 0–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-04 | DAL 0–2 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-03-18 | DAL 2–1 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-03-06 | DAL 4–5 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-10-11 | DAL 5–4 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-05-03 · PO | DAL 4–2 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-05-01 · PO | DAL 4–7 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-04-28 · PO | DAL 6–2 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-04-26 · PO | DAL 0–4 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-04-23 · PO | DAL 2–1 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-03-16 | DAL 3–4 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-11-29 | DAL 5–3 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
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)
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Esa Lindell projects to 1.72 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 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 Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 22 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 Malinski done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 6–5. Lindell had 3 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 3 (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 →