Who to start · 2025-26
Jackson LaCombe vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jackson LaCombe projects to 2.03 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
LaCombe had 58 points in 82 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week LaCombe has 1 game left; Cates has 1 left. We project LaCombe for 2.0 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.
Jackson LaCombe has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
LaCombe's biggest edges: Ascension score 62, 20+ mph bursts 110, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.21.
Cates's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1026, Plus/minus +26, Penalty minutes 44.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jackson LaCombe
2.03
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jackson LaCombe has the edge.
| Points per game from | LaCombe | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.23 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.61 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.10 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.19 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.79 | 0.30 |
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 Cates
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 4A, 10 SOG · Cates 2G 3A, 11 SOG
LaCombe blocked 1 of Cates's shots; Cates blocked 0 of LaCombe's.
On the ice against each other (LaCombe's side)
6:11 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from LaCombe's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–6
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.2
- 55.6%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | LaCombe | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-18 | ANA 2–3 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2026-01-06 | ANA 2–5 PHI | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2025-01-11 | ANA 0–6 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-28 | ANA 1–3 PHI | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2023-11-10 | ANA 3–6 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-10-28 | ANA 7–4 PHI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
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)
2.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ VGK
- Sun, Oct 4 vs FLA2.0 pts
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jackson LaCombe or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jackson LaCombe projects to 2.03 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. LaCombe had 58 points in 82 games; Cates had 47 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 LaCombe or Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Jackson LaCombe 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 LaCombe and Cates done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, LaCombe's team went 1–5. LaCombe had 4 points (0 goals) and Cates had 5 (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 →