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Who to start · 2025-26

Gabriel Vilardi vs Sam Bennett

Gabriel VilardiGabriel VilardiJets · CentrevsSam BennettSam BennettPanthers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Gabriel Vilardi projects to 1.76 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Bennett's 1.74.

Vilardi had 69 points in 82 games; Bennett had 58 in 76 games.

This week Vilardi has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Bennett has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Bennett for 1.9 ESPN points to Vilardi's 1.3.

Sam Bennett has the better number in 22 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Vilardi's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.74, Ascension score 56, Offensive-zone start % 65.5%.

Bennett's biggest edges: Hardest shot 92.9, Hits 115, 20+ mph bursts 98.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Gabriel Vilardi

1.76

fantasy points per game

Sam Bennett

1.74

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Gabriel Vilardi has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromVilardiBennett
Goals (+2)0.690.60
Assists (+1)0.510.43
Power-play points (+0.5)0.170.09
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.180.25
Hits (+0.1)0.020.19
Blocks (+0.5)0.200.19

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 Bennett

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.

VilardiBennett
4Team record in 6 meetings2
3Points in those games3

Vilardi 1G 2A, 10 SOG · Bennett 1G 2A, 14 SOG

2Faceoffs against each other0

Vilardi's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Vilardi's defensive zone 2–0 (2024-25)

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

9:02 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Vilardi's side

Shot attempts
5–10
33.3%
Expected goals
0.5–0.3
63.6%
Goals
1–1

Games against each other

Games between Gabriel Vilardi and Sam Bennett
DateScoreVilardiBennett
2026-01-31WPG 2–1 FLA0G 1A 3S0G 0A 3S
2026-01-22WPG 1–2 FLA0G 0A 1S1G 0A 3S
2024-11-19WPG 6–3 FLA0G 1A 1S0G 1A 1S
2024-11-16WPG 0–5 FLA0G 0A 1S0G 1A 2S
2022-11-05LAK 5–4 FLA1G 0A 3S0G 0A 3S
2022-03-13LAK 3–2 FLA0G 0A 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.

VilardiBennett

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.

Gabriel Vilardi

2games (1 left)

1.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Fri, Oct 2 vs BOS
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to C
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ DET1.3 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to C

Sam Bennett

3games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ CAR
    Opp allows 13th-fewest FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ SJS
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA1.9 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to C

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Gabriel Vilardi or Sam Bennett in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Gabriel Vilardi projects to 1.76 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Bennett's 1.74. Vilardi had 69 points in 82 games; Bennett had 58 in 76 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 Sam Bennett?
On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Bennett leads in 22 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Vilardi and Bennett done against each other?
In 6 games against each other in our data, Vilardi's team went 4–2. Vilardi had 3 points (1 goals) and Bennett had 3 (1 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, Vilardi or Bennett?
Against each other, Vilardi has won 2 and Bennett 0 of their 2 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 →