Who to start · 2025-26
Evgeni Malkin vs Mikko Rantanen
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Evgeni Malkin's 2.12.
Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 games.
This week Malkin has 1 game left; Rantanen has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Malkin for 1.6 ESPN points to Rantanen's 1.6.
Mikko Rantanen has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Malkin's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Hardest shot 93.1, Plus/minus +13.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Ascension score 54, Top skating speed 22.8, Blocked shots 30.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Evgeni Malkin
2.12
fantasy points per game
Mikko Rantanen
2.21
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mikko Rantanen has the edge.
| Points per game from | Malkin | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.76 | 0.64 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.81 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.25 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.14 | 0.22 |
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 Rantanen
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 3G 10A, 33 SOG · Rantanen 5G 9A, 42 SOG
Malkin's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Malkin's defensive zone 2–2 (2017-18 to 2022-23)
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Malkin | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-05 | PIT 5–3 DAL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-10 | PIT 2–6 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 3G 2A 5S |
| 2024-03-24 | PIT 4–5 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2023-10-26 | PIT 4–0 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-03-22 | PIT 5–2 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2023-02-07 | PIT 2–1 COL | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2022-04-05 | PIT 4–6 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2022-04-02 | PIT 2–3 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2020-01-10 | PIT 4–3 COL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-12-04 | PIT 6–3 COL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2018-11-28 | PIT 3–6 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2017-12-18 | PIT 2–4 COL | 1G 0A 7S | 1G 1A 5S |
Latest 12 of 13 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 Cvs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Mikko Rantanen
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.6 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Evgeni Malkin or Mikko Rantanen in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Evgeni Malkin's 2.12. Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Rantanen had 77 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, Evgeni Malkin or Mikko Rantanen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mikko Rantanen leads in 23 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 Rantanen done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, Malkin's team went 6–7. Malkin had 13 points (3 goals) and Rantanen had 14 (5 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Malkin or Rantanen?
- Against each other, Malkin has won 2 and Rantanen 2 of their 4 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 →