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Who to start · 2025-26

Jake McCabe vs Matthew Knies

Jake McCabeJake McCabeMaple Leafs · DefencevsMatthew KniesMatthew KniesBlue Jackets · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Knies projects to 2.06 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake McCabe's 1.75.

McCabe had 25 points in 80 games; Knies had 66 in 79 games.

This week McCabe has 1 game left; Knies has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project McCabe for 1.7 ESPN points to Knies's 1.4.

Matthew Knies has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

McCabe's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Plus/minus +3, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.040.

Knies's biggest edges: Ascension score 56, Offensive-zone start % 56.7%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.20.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 4 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Jake McCabe

1.75

fantasy points per game

Matthew Knies

2.06

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Matthew Knies has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMcCabeKnies
Goals (+2)0.110.80
Assists (+1)0.220.57
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.100.19
Hits (+0.1)0.130.18
Blocks (+0.5)1.190.19

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: McCabe vs Knies

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.

McCabeKnies
0Goals set up by the other7

Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).

On the ice together

414:07 at 5-on-5 over 77 games, 2025-26

Shot attempts
316–441
41.7%
Expected goals
14.7–21.4
40.7%
Goals
14–21

Every stat, side by side

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

McCabeKnies

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.

Jake McCabe

3games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
    Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
  • Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2B
    Opp allows 16th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT1.7 pts
    vs Linus Ullmark (.891)

Matthew Knies

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
    Opp allows 10th-most FP to LWLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.4 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Jake McCabe or Matthew Knies in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Knies projects to 2.06 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake McCabe's 1.75. McCabe had 25 points in 80 games; Knies had 66 in 79 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, Jake McCabe or Matthew Knies?
On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Knies leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →