Who to start · 2025-26
John Carlson vs Rasmus Sandin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Carlson projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Rasmus Sandin's 1.59.
Carlson had 60 points in 71 games; Sandin had 29 in 73 games.
This week Carlson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Sandin has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Sandin for 1.7 ESPN points to Carlson's 1.6.
John Carlson has the better number in 26 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Carlson's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.96, Offensive-zone time 43.4%, Corsi 54.5%.
Sandin's biggest edges: Hits 88, 20+ mph bursts 61, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.09.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
John Carlson
2.14
fantasy points per game
Rasmus Sandin
1.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, John Carlson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Carlson | Sandin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.39 | 0.14 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.33 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.10 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.12 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.12 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.75 | 0.87 |
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: Carlson vs Sandin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Carlson 0G 4A, 6 SOG · Sandin 1G 2A, 5 SOG
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
144:57 at 5-on-5 over 33 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 156–139
- 52.9%
- Expected goals
- 7.0–6.9
- 50.6%
- Goals
- 7–8
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Carlson | Sandin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-17 | WSH 5–2 TOR | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-10-13 | WSH 2–3 TOR | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-02-28 | WSH 3–5 TOR | 0G 3A 2S | 1G 1A 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.
John Carlson
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 9th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.6 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Rasmus Sandin
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ CAROpp allows 10th-most FP to DLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to DSchedule edge −13.3 win%vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start John Carlson or Rasmus Sandin in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Carlson projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Rasmus Sandin's 1.59. Carlson had 60 points in 71 games; Sandin had 29 in 73 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, John Carlson or Rasmus Sandin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, John Carlson leads in 26 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Carlson and Sandin done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Carlson's team went 1–2. Carlson had 4 points (0 goals) and Sandin had 3 (1 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 →