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Who to start · 2025-26

Esa Lindell vs Will Smith

Esa LindellEsa LindellStars · DefencevsWill SmithWill SmithSharks · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72.

Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.

This week Lindell has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Smith's 1.9.

Will Smith has the better number in 19 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Lindell's biggest edges: Blocked shots 179, High-danger chances 55.4%, Faceoffs won 0.

Smith's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.05, Hardest shot 90.3, Offensive-zone time 44.3%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Esa Lindell

1.72

fantasy points per game

Will Smith

1.68

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Esa Lindell has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromLindellSmith
Goals (+2)0.150.70
Assists (+1)0.320.51
Power-play points (+0.5)0.010.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.100.24
Hits (+0.1)0.040.02
Blocks (+0.5)1.090.09

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 Will Smith 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.

LindellSmith

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
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 pts
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Will Smith

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
    Opp allows 9th-fewest FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 pts
    Opp allows the most FP to C

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Esa Lindell or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Esa Lindell's 1.72. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
On 2025-26 numbers, Will Smith leads in 19 of 33 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 →