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Who to start · 2025-26

Ian Cole vs Matthew Schaefer

Ian ColeIan ColeBlackhawks · DefencevsMatthew SchaeferMatthew SchaeferIslanders · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30.

Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.

This week Cole has 1 game left; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Cole's 1.5.

Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Cole's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.39, High-danger chances 56.7%, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.019.

Schaefer's biggest edges: Power-play time per game 3:14, 20+ mph bursts 269, Power-play share 70.2%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Ian Cole

1.30

fantasy points per game

Matthew Schaefer

2.02

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromColeSchaefer
Goals (+2)0.060.53
Assists (+1)0.220.41
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.10
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.070.27
Hits (+0.1)0.080.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.870.67

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: Cole vs Schaefer

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

ColeSchaefer
1Team record in 2 meetings1
0Points in those games2

Cole 0G 0A, 4 SOG · Schaefer 2G 0A, 5 SOG

1Shots blocked by the other0

Cole blocked 1 of Schaefer's shots; Schaefer blocked 0 of Cole's.

0Penalties drawn off the other1

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

10:50 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Cole's side

Shot attempts
7–8
46.7%
Expected goals
0.4–0.6
36.6%
Goals
1–0

Games against each other

Games between Ian Cole and Matthew Schaefer
DateScoreColeSchaefer
2026-01-01UTA 7–2 NYI0G 0A 2S1G 0A 3S
2025-11-14UTA 2–3 NYI0G 0A 2S1G 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.

ColeSchaefer

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.

Ian Cole

3games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF1.5 pts
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to DSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)

Matthew Schaefer

2games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Ian Cole or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30. Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 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, Ian Cole or Matthew Schaefer?
On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer 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 Cole and Schaefer done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Cole's team went 1–1. Cole had 0 points (0 goals) and Schaefer had 2 (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 →