Who to start · 2025-26
Joel Eriksson Ek vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Joel Eriksson Ek projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Eriksson Ek has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Eriksson Ek for 1.8 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 16–16.
Eriksson Ek's biggest edges: Ascension score 53, Ice time per game 19:05, Ice-time share 31.2%.
Malinski's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.44, Scoring chances 61.1%, High-danger chances 58.1%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Joel Eriksson Ek
1.70
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Joel Eriksson Ek has the edge.
| Points per game from | Eriksson Ek | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.51 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.43 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.28 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.23 | 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: Eriksson Ek 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.
Eriksson Ek 2G 1A, 19 SOG · Malinski 0G 0A, 10 SOG
On the ice against each other (Eriksson Ek's side)
8:01 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Eriksson Ek's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–10
- 47.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.2
- 49.1%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Eriksson Ek | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-08 | MIN 2–3 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-02-26 | MIN 5–2 COL | 2G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-21 | MIN 1–5 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-11-28 | MIN 3–2 COL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-09 | MIN 1–6 COL | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 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.
Joel Eriksson Ek
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.8 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Joel Eriksson Ek or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Joel Eriksson Ek projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 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, Joel Eriksson Ek or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 16–16 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Eriksson Ek and Malinski done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Eriksson Ek's team went 2–3. Eriksson Ek had 3 points (2 goals) and Malinski had 0 (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 →