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Who to start · 2025-26

Ian Cole vs Sam Malinski

Ian ColeIan ColeBlackhawks · DefencevsSam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30.

Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Cole has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Malinski has 1 left. We project Cole for 1.5 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.

Sam Malinski has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Cole's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.019, Penalty minutes 50, Blocked shots 151.

Malinski's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 116, Offensive-zone time 44.5%, Hardest shot 96.8.

  • • 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, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Ian Cole

1.30

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Sam Malinski has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromColeMalinski
Goals (+2)0.060.18
Assists (+1)0.220.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.070.20
Hits (+0.1)0.080.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.870.64

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: Cole 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.

ColeMalinski
2Team record in 7 meetings5
2Points in those games3

Cole 0G 2A, 5 SOG · Malinski 0G 3A, 11 SOG

3Shots blocked by the other1

Cole blocked 3 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 1 of Cole's.

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

22:05 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Cole's side

Shot attempts
16–26
38.1%
Expected goals
0.9–0.8
52.8%
Goals
1–0

Games against each other

Games between Ian Cole and Sam Malinski
DateScoreColeMalinski
2026-02-25UTA 2–4 COL0G 0A 1S0G 1A 0S
2025-12-23UTA 0–1 COL0G 0A 0S0G 0A 2S
2025-10-21UTA 4–3 COL0G 0A 0S0G 0A 3S
2025-10-09UTA 1–2 COL0G 0A 0S0G 0A 2S
2024-12-27UTA 1–4 COL0G 0A 2S0G 1A 1S
2024-12-12UTA 4–1 COL0G 1A 2S0G 0A 2S
2024-10-24UTA 1–5 COL0G 1A 0S0G 1A 1S

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

ColeMalinski

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 5th-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 8th-most FP to DSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
    Schedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Ian Cole or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30. Cole had 23 points in 82 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, Ian Cole or Sam Malinski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 26 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 Malinski done against each other?
In 7 games against each other in our data, Cole's team went 2–5. Cole had 2 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 3 (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 →