Who to start · 2025-26
Jacob Trouba vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jacob Trouba projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Trouba had 35 points in 81 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Trouba has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Malinski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Trouba for 2.2 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.1.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Trouba's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.052, Hits 143, Ice time per game 22:50.
Malinski's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1035, 20+ mph bursts 116, Top skating speed 22.9.
- • 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
Jacob Trouba
1.82
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jacob Trouba has the edge.
| Points per game from | Trouba | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.23 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.29 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.89 | 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: Trouba 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.
Trouba 0G 2A, 9 SOG · Malinski 0G 2A, 14 SOG
On the ice against each other (Trouba's side)
21:08 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Trouba's side
- Shot attempts
- 15–27
- 35.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–1.5
- 15.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Trouba | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-03 | ANA 1–5 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-01-21 | ANA 2–1 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-11-11 | ANA 1–4 COL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-04-13 | ANA 2–4 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-12-20 | ANA 2–4 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
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.
Jacob Trouba
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to D
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK2.2 ptsOpp allows 3rd-most FP to D
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to D
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jacob Trouba or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jacob Trouba projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Trouba had 35 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, Jacob Trouba or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Trouba and Malinski done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Trouba's team went 1–4. Trouba had 2 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 2 (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 →