Who to start · 2025-26
Jackson Blake vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jackson Blake's 1.43.
Blake had 53 points in 81 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Blake has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Malinski has 1 left. We project Blake for 3.2 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Blake's biggest edges: Ascension score 59, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.020, Penalty minutes 40.
Malinski's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Top skating speed 22.9, 20+ mph bursts 116.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jackson Blake
1.43
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Sam Malinski has the edge.
| Points per game from | Blake | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.51 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.36 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.07 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.26 | 0.64 |
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: Blake 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.
Blake 0G 1A, 5 SOG · Malinski 1G 1A, 2 SOG
Blake blocked 0 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 1 of Blake's.
On the ice against each other (Blake's side)
10:55 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Blake's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–11
- 45.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.4
- 39.4%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Blake | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | CAR 3–5 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-10-23 | CAR 5–4 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-12-05 | CAR 5–3 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-11-09 | CAR 4–6 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 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.
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.
Jackson Blake
3games (2 left)
3.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH1.4 ptsvs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 5th-most FP to RWSchedule edge −12.1 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jackson Blake 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 Jackson Blake's 1.43. Blake had 53 points in 81 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, Jackson Blake or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 17 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Blake and Malinski done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Blake's team went 2–2. Blake had 1 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 2 (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 →