Who to start · 2025-26
Evgeni Malkin vs Quinton Byfield
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Quinton Byfield's 1.57.
Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Byfield had 49 in 79 games.
This week Malkin has 1 game left; Byfield has 1 left. We project Malkin for 2.1 ESPN points to Byfield's 1.6.
Quinton Byfield has the better number in 20 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Malkin's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 76.9%, Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Luck Meter +38.
Byfield's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.42, 20+ mph bursts 297, Top skating speed 23.2.
Head to head on the dot, Malkin leads Byfield 11–4.
- • 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, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Evgeni Malkin
2.12
fantasy points per game
Quinton Byfield
1.57
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Malkin | Byfield |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.76 | 0.57 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.70 | 0.30 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.07 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.14 | 0.32 |
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 Byfield
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Malkin 3G 4A, 21 SOG · Byfield 0G 3A, 25 SOG
Malkin's offensive zone 4–3 · neutral 4–0 · Malkin's defensive zone 3–1 (2021-22 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Malkin's side)
7:25 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Malkin's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–7
- 46.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.5
- 35.3%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Malkin | Byfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-09 | PIT 2–3 LAK | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-16 | PIT 4–2 LAK | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 6S |
| 2025-01-20 | PIT 5–1 LAK | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-17 | PIT 3–2 LAK | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-02-18 | PIT 1–2 LAK | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-11-09 | PIT 4–3 LAK | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-02-11 | PIT 0–6 LAK | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2022-10-20 | PIT 6–1 LAK | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-01-30 | PIT 3–4 LAK | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
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)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.1 pts
Quinton Byfield
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ COL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ SJS1.6 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Evgeni Malkin or Quinton Byfield 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 Quinton Byfield's 1.57. Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Byfield had 49 in 79 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 Quinton Byfield?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Quinton Byfield leads in 20 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Malkin and Byfield done against each other?
- In 9 games against each other in our data, Malkin's team went 5–4. Malkin had 7 points (3 goals) and Byfield had 3 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Malkin or Byfield?
- Against each other, Malkin has won 11 and Byfield 4 of their 15 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 →