Who to start · 2025-26
Frederick Gaudreau vs Linus Karlsson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Frederick Gaudreau projects to 1.39 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Linus Karlsson's 1.18.
Gaudreau had 24 points in 68 games; Karlsson had 35 in 79 games.
This week Gaudreau has 2 games left; Karlsson has 2 left. In ESPN default points scoring we project Gaudreau for 2.4 to Karlsson's 2.3 over the games left.
Linus Karlsson has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Gaudreau's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1016, Blocked shots 52, Plus/minus −1.
Karlsson's biggest edges: High-danger chances 52.5%, Offensive-zone time 42.9%, Penalty minutes 42.
In standard categories (G, A, +/-, PPP, SOG, HIT), the default in Who Should I Start, Frederick Gaudreau rates ahead, -1.3 to -1.6 in summed category z-scores.
Role trend over the last 5 games: Gaudreau is steady, 4 P in last 5 (0.40/GP before); Karlsson is steady, ixG/60 1.24 (was 0.62).
- • Gaudreau, 2026-27 so far: 10 GP, 5 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 12 SOG.
- • Karlsson, 2026-27 so far: 11 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 1 PPP, 21 SOG.
- • Karlsson, last 10 games (Oct 1–Oct 20): 3 G, 4 A, 1 PPP, 19 SOG.
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Fantasy value: your scoring
Frederick Gaudreau
-1.3
category z-score total
Linus Karlsson
-1.6
category z-score total
Under Standard (6 categories), Frederick Gaudreau has the edge (Gaudreau wins 2, Karlsson wins 4 of 6 categories).
| Category | Gaudreau | Karlsson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals / game | 0.26 | 0.22 |
| Assists / game | 0.23 | 0.34 |
| Plus/minus / game | 0.11 | -0.24 |
| Power-play points / game | 0.03 | 0.07 |
| Shots on goal / game | 1.10 | 1.65 |
| Hits / game | 0.47 | 0.72 |
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 scoring choice is shared with Who Should I Start: saved on this device, and on your account when you are signed in.
Head-to-head: Gaudreau vs Karlsson
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.
Gaudreau 0G 0A, 6 SOG · Karlsson 2G 1A, 9 SOG
On the ice against each other (Gaudreau's side)
9:03 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Gaudreau's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–10
- 28.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.4
- 11.4%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Gaudreau | Karlsson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-14 | SEA 5–2 VAN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-02-28 | SEA 5–1 VAN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-01-02 | SEA 4–3 VAN | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-12-29 | SEA 2–3 VAN | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-04-12 | MIN 3–2 VAN | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 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.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs, Usage, Special teams & discipline, Luck & trend, NHL EDGE tracking continue below
Every stat, side by side (continued)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
This week's schedule
Oct 19 to Oct 25. 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 cover the games left: Edgehalla's rest-of-season rates per game, adjusted for each opponent's scoring allowed, in ESPN default points.
Scored in ESPN default points (G 2, A 1, PPP 0.5, SHP 0.5, SOG 0.1, HIT 0.1, BLK 0.5). Use your league's scoring
Frederick Gaudreau
3games (2 left)
2.4proj. ESPN default pts
- Tue, Oct 20 vs DETOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Daniil Tarasov (.895)
- Thu, Oct 22 vs UTA1.2 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
- Sat, Oct 24 vs MIN1.2 ptsOpp allows 14th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
Linus Karlsson
3games (2 left)
2.3proj. ESPN default pts
- Tue, Oct 20 vs CAROpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to CLikely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
- Thu, Oct 22 vs DET1.1 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to CLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
- Sun, Oct 25 vs MIN1.2 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Frederick Gaudreau or Linus Karlsson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Frederick Gaudreau projects to 1.39 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Linus Karlsson's 1.18. Gaudreau had 24 points in 68 games; Karlsson had 35 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, Frederick Gaudreau or Linus Karlsson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Linus Karlsson leads in 20 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Gaudreau and Karlsson done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Gaudreau's team went 4–1. Gaudreau had 0 points (0 goals) and Karlsson had 3 (2 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 →