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Who to start · 2025-26

Evgeni Malkin vs Sam Malinski

Evgeni MalkinEvgeni MalkinPenguins · CentrevsSam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Evgeni Malkin projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Malkin has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Malkin for 1.6 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.1.

Sam Malinski has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Malkin's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 61, Power-play share 72.1%, Ice time per game 17:36.

Malinski's biggest edges: Top skating speed 22.9, 20+ mph bursts 116, Transition attempts /60 0.77.

  • • 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, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Evgeni Malkin

2.12

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Evgeni Malkin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMalkinMalinski
Goals (+2)0.760.18
Assists (+1)0.700.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.220.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.260.20
Hits (+0.1)0.040.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.140.64

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 Malinski

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

MalkinMalinski
1Team record in 3 meetings2
4Points in those games0

Malkin 2G 2A, 6 SOG · Malinski 0G 0A, 5 SOG

0Shots blocked by the other2

Malkin blocked 0 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 2 of Malkin's.

On the ice against each other (Malkin's side)

2:53 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Malkin's side

Shot attempts
0–1
0.0%
Expected goals
0.0–0.1
0.0%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Evgeni Malkin and Sam Malinski
DateScoreMalkinMalinski
2026-03-16PIT 7–2 COL2G 1A 3S0G 0A 2S
2025-03-04PIT 1–4 COL0G 0A 2S0G 0A 1S
2024-12-10PIT 2–6 COL0G 1A 1S0G 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.

MalkinMalinski

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)

1.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.6 pts
    Opp allows 14th-most FP to Cvs Jakub Dobes (.901)

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Evgeni Malkin or Sam Malinski 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 Sam Malinski's 1.44. Malkin had 61 points in 56 games; Malinski had 40 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 Sam Malinski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 21 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 Malinski done against each other?
In 3 games against each other in our data, Malkin's team went 1–2. Malkin had 4 points (2 goals) and Malinski had 0 (0 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 →