Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Josh Doan vs Sam Malinski

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Josh Doan projects to 1.47 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Doan had 52 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Doan has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Doan for 1.5 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.

Josh Doan has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Doan's biggest edges: Ascension score 60, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.004, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.51.

Malinski's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Plus/minus +43, Top skating speed 22.9.

  • • 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

Josh Doan

1.47

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Josh Doan has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromDoanMalinski
Goals (+2)0.570.18
Assists (+1)0.310.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.100.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.210.20
Hits (+0.1)0.100.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.180.64

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: Doan 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.

DoanMalinski
0Team record in 3 meetings3
1Points in those games2

Doan 0G 1A, 7 SOG · Malinski 0G 2A, 4 SOG

0Hits on each other1

On the ice against each other (Doan's side)

6:40 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Doan's side

Shot attempts
10–7
58.8%
Expected goals
0.5–0.3
60.9%
Goals
1–1

Games against each other

Games between Josh Doan and Sam Malinski
DateScoreDoanMalinski
2025-11-13BUF 3–6 COL0G 1A 1S0G 1A 1S
2025-10-13BUF 1–3 COL0G 0A 4S0G 0A 2S
2024-10-24UTA 1–5 COL0G 0A 2S0G 1A 1S

Every stat, side by side

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

DoanMalinski

Fantasy box score

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.

Josh Doan

2games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJ
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI1.5 pts

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts

FAQ

Should I start Josh Doan or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Josh Doan projects to 1.47 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Doan had 52 points in 82 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, Josh Doan or Sam Malinski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Josh Doan leads in 17 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Doan and Malinski done against each other?
In 3 games against each other in our data, Doan's team went 0–3. Doan had 1 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 2 (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 →