Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Evgeni Malkin vs Nikolaj Ehlers

Evgeni MalkinEvgeni MalkinPenguins · CentrevsNikolaj EhlersNikolaj EhlersHurricanes · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65.

Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Ehlers had 71 in 82 games.

This week Malkin has 1 game left; Ehlers has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Ehlers for 1.9 ESPN points to Malkin's 1.7.

Nikolaj Ehlers has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Malkin's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 61, On-ice PDO 1034, Faceoffs won 109.

Ehlers's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.44, Top skating speed 23.1, 20+ mph bursts 182.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Evgeni Malkin

2.12

fantasy points per game

Nikolaj Ehlers

1.65

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMalkinEhlers
Goals (+2)0.760.56
Assists (+1)0.700.48
Power-play points (+0.5)0.220.15
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.260.26
Hits (+0.1)0.040.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.140.16

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

Evgeni Malkin and Nikolaj Ehlers 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.

MalkinEhlers

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.

Evgeni Malkin

2games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.7 pts
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to C

Nikolaj Ehlers

3games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to LW
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.9 pts
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Evgeni Malkin or Nikolaj Ehlers 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 Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65. Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Ehlers had 71 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, Evgeni Malkin or Nikolaj Ehlers?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nikolaj Ehlers leads in 21 of 34 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 →