Who to start · 2025-26
Gabriel Vilardi vs Kyle Connor
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Gabriel Vilardi's 1.76.
Vilardi had 69 points in 82 games; Connor had 92 in 82 games.
This week Vilardi has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Connor has 1 left. We project Connor for 2.4 ESPN points to Vilardi's 1.3.
Kyle Connor has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Vilardi's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 42, Blocked shots 35, Penalty minutes 24.
Connor's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 162, Hardest shot 90.9, Goals above expected +1.1.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Gabriel Vilardi
1.76
fantasy points per game
Kyle Connor
2.43
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Kyle Connor has the edge.
| Points per game from | Vilardi | Connor |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.69 | 1.02 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.51 | 0.67 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.37 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.17 |
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: Vilardi vs Connor
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Vilardi 2G 0A, 7 SOG · Connor 1G 5A, 14 SOG
Vilardi blocked 7 of Connor's shots; Connor blocked 1 of Vilardi's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
683:30 at 5-on-5 over 75 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 638–670
- 48.8%
- Expected goals
- 35.2–36.1
- 49.4%
- Goals
- 46–40
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Vilardi | Connor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-25 | LAK 4–1 WPG | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-02-28 | LAK 6–5 WPG | 1G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2022-10-27 | LAK 4–6 WPG | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2021-10-28 | LAK 2–3 WPG | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 3A 6S |
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.
Gabriel Vilardi
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOSOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET1.3 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to CLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Kyle Connor
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOSOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET2.4 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to LWLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Gabriel Vilardi or Kyle Connor in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Gabriel Vilardi's 1.76. Vilardi had 69 points in 82 games; Connor had 92 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, Gabriel Vilardi or Kyle Connor?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Kyle Connor leads in 22 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Vilardi and Connor done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Vilardi's team went 2–2. Vilardi had 2 points (2 goals) and Connor had 6 (1 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 →