Who to start · 2025-26
Jackson LaCombe vs John Carlson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Carlson projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jackson LaCombe's 2.03.
LaCombe had 58 points in 82 games; Carlson had 60 in 71 games.
This week LaCombe has 1 game left; Carlson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project LaCombe for 1.8 ESPN points to Carlson's 1.6.
John Carlson has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
LaCombe's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.009, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.21, Hits 74.
Carlson's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.6, Luck Meter +52, On-ice PDO 1009.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jackson LaCombe
2.03
fantasy points per game
John Carlson
2.10
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, John Carlson has the edge.
| Points per game from | LaCombe | Carlson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.23 | 0.37 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.61 | 0.61 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.10 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.19 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.79 | 0.76 |
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: LaCombe vs Carlson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
LaCombe 0G 1A, 7 SOG · Carlson 2G 4A, 12 SOG
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (LaCombe's side)
3:10 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from LaCombe's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–4
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.1
- 83.9%
- Goals
- 0–1
On the ice together
70:32 at 5-on-5 over 24 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 102–42
- 70.8%
- Expected goals
- 5.4–3.1
- 63.8%
- Goals
- 6–4
Games against each other
| Date | Score | LaCombe | Carlson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-05 | ANA 4–7 WSH | 0G 1A 5S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2025-03-11 | ANA 4–7 WSH | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-14 | ANA 0–3 WSH | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-01-16 | ANA 0–2 WSH | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2023-11-30 | ANA 4–5 WSH | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 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.
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 LaCombe
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ VGKOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs FLA1.8 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
John Carlson
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 9th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.6 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jackson LaCombe or John Carlson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Carlson projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jackson LaCombe's 2.03. LaCombe had 58 points in 82 games; Carlson had 60 in 71 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 LaCombe or John Carlson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, John Carlson 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 LaCombe and Carlson done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, LaCombe's team went 0–5. LaCombe had 1 points (0 goals) and Carlson had 6 (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 →