Who to start · 2025-26
Evgeni Malkin vs Lawson Crouse
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Lawson Crouse's 1.65.
Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Crouse had 44 in 81 games.
This week Malkin has 1 game left; Crouse has 2 left with 2 tough matchups. We project Crouse for 2.4 ESPN points to Malkin's 1.6.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.
Malkin's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 44.9%, Power-play points 22, Power-play share 72.1%.
Crouse's biggest edges: Hits 212, Blocked shots 52, Top skating speed 22.8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Evgeni Malkin
2.12
fantasy points per game
Lawson Crouse
1.65
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Malkin | Crouse |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.76 | 0.56 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.29 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.04 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.17 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.28 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.14 | 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: Malkin vs Crouse
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Malkin 3G 8A, 36 SOG · Crouse 2G 1A, 24 SOG
Malkin's offensive zone 2–0 · neutral 0–0 · Malkin's defensive zone 1–0 (2022-23 to 2024-25)
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Malkin | Crouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-23 | PIT 1–6 UTA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-01-22 | PIT 2–5 ARI | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2023-12-12 | PIT 4–2 ARI | 0G 1A 4S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2023-01-08 | PIT 4–1 ARI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-10-13 | PIT 6–2 ARI | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-03-19 | PIT 4–1 ARI | 1G 0A 8S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-01-25 | PIT 6–3 ARI | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2020-01-12 | PIT 4–3 ARI | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2019-12-06 | PIT 2–0 ARI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2019-01-18 | PIT 3–2 ARI | 0G 1A 6S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2018-11-10 | PIT 4–0 ARI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
Evgeni Malkin
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.6 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to Cvs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Lawson Crouse
3games (2 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 2nd-most FP to LWLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.2 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.2 ptsOpp allows 7th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Evgeni Malkin or Lawson Crouse in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Lawson Crouse's 1.65. Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Crouse had 44 in 81 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, Evgeni Malkin or Lawson Crouse?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Malkin and Crouse done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Malkin's team went 9–2. Malkin had 11 points (3 goals) and Crouse had 3 (2 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Malkin or Crouse?
- Against each other, Malkin has won 3 and Crouse 0 of their 3 head-to-head draws.
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 →