Who to start · 2025-26
John Carlson vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Carlson projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Carlson had 60 points in 71 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Carlson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Malinski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Carlson for 1.6 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.1.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 16–16.
Carlson's biggest edges: Ascension score 53, Ice time per game 23:10, Ice-time share 38.1%.
Malinski's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 116, Forecheck xG /60 0.44, On-ice PDO 1035.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
John Carlson
2.10
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, John Carlson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Carlson | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.37 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.61 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.09 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.76 | 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: Carlson vs Malinski
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.
Carlson 0G 1A, 5 SOG · Malinski 0G 0A, 10 SOG
On the ice against each other (Carlson's side)
4:41 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Carlson's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–12
- 29.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.5
- 24.1%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Carlson | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-19 | WSH 2–5 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-11-21 | WSH 1–2 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-15 | WSH 5–2 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-01-24 | WSH 2–6 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 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.
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)
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start John Carlson or Sam Malinski 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 Sam Malinski's 1.44. Carlson had 60 points in 71 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, John Carlson or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 16–16 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Carlson and Malinski done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Carlson's team went 1–3. Carlson had 1 points (0 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 →