Who to start · 2025-26
Jamie Benn vs Nathan MacKinnon
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jamie Benn's 1.27.
Benn had 36 points in 60 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.
This week Benn has 1 game left; MacKinnon has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project MacKinnon for 2.2 ESPN points to Benn's 1.4.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 31 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Benn's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.041, Penalty minutes 53, Hits 79.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 455, Top skating speed 24.8, Corsi 57.6%.
Head to head on the dot, Benn leads MacKinnon 64–64.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jamie Benn
1.27
fantasy points per game
Nathan MacKinnon
3.32
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | Benn | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 1.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.33 | 0.87 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.05 | 0.21 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.46 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.13 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.18 | 0.21 |
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: Benn vs MacKinnon
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Benn 12G 16A, 87 SOG · MacKinnon 22G 28A, 212 SOG
Benn's offensive zone 15–12 · neutral 17–18 · Benn's defensive zone 32–34 (2017-18 to 2024-25)
On the ice against each other (Benn's side)
7:15 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Benn's side
- Shot attempts
- 2–12
- 14.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.3
- 8.6%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Benn | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-04 | DAL 0–2 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2026-03-18 | DAL 2–1 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2026-03-06 | DAL 4–5 COL | 1G 0A 2S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2025-05-03 · PO | DAL 4–2 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2025-05-01 · PO | DAL 4–7 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2025-04-28 · PO | DAL 6–2 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 7S |
| 2025-04-26 · PO | DAL 0–4 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-04-23 · PO | DAL 2–1 COL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 9S |
| 2025-04-21 · PO | DAL 4–3 COL | 0G 1A 4S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-04-19 · PO | DAL 1–5 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 1A 7S |
| 2025-03-16 | DAL 3–4 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-01-18 | DAL 3–6 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
Latest 12 of 42 meetings.
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.
Jamie Benn
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Nathan MacKinnon
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.2 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jamie Benn or Nathan MacKinnon in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jamie Benn's 1.27. Benn had 36 points in 60 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 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, Jamie Benn or Nathan MacKinnon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 31 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Benn and MacKinnon done against each other?
- In 42 games against each other in our data, Benn's team went 20–22. Benn had 28 points (12 goals) and MacKinnon had 50 (22 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Benn or MacKinnon?
- Against each other, Benn has won 64 and MacKinnon 64 of their 128 head-to-head draws.
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 →