Who to start · 2025-26
Evgeni Malkin vs Mike Matheson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mike Matheson's 1.80.
Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 games.
This week Malkin has 1 game left; Matheson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Malkin for 1.6 ESPN points to Matheson's 1.3.
Evgeni Malkin has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Malkin's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 76.9%, Offensive-zone time 44.9%, Sequence xG 53.9%.
Matheson's biggest edges: Top skating speed 22.8, Blocked shots 150, Ascension score 56.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Evgeni Malkin
2.12
fantasy points per game
Mike Matheson
1.80
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Malkin | Matheson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.76 | 0.17 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.42 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.14 | 0.96 |
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 Matheson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Malkin 5G 10A, 36 SOG · Matheson 1G 6A, 24 SOG
Malkin blocked 2 of Matheson's shots; Matheson blocked 4 of Malkin's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Malkin | Matheson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-12-12 | PIT 9–2 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-11-02 | PIT 3–1 MTL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-10-14 | PIT 6–3 MTL | 1G 2A 1S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2024-02-22 | PIT 4–1 MTL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2024-01-27 | PIT 3–2 MTL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-12-13 | PIT 4–3 MTL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2023-03-14 | PIT 4–6 MTL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2020-02-08 | PIT 3–2 FLA | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2020-01-05 | PIT 1–4 FLA | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2019-03-05 | PIT 3–2 FLA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-01-08 | PIT 5–1 FLA | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2018-02-24 | PIT 5–6 FLA | 2G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
Latest 12 of 14 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.
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 CLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.3 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to DLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Evgeni Malkin or Mike Matheson 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 Mike Matheson's 1.80. Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 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 Mike Matheson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Evgeni Malkin 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 Malkin and Matheson done against each other?
- In 14 games against each other in our data, Malkin's team went 11–3. Malkin had 15 points (5 goals) and Matheson had 7 (1 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 →