Who to start · 2025-26
Josh Manson vs Matthew Schaefer
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48.
Manson had 31 points in 79 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.
This week Manson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Manson's 1.1.
Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Manson's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Hits 174, High-danger chances 57.4%.
Schaefer's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59, Goals above expected +3.8, Power-play time per game 3:14.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Josh Manson
1.48
fantasy points per game
Matthew Schaefer
2.02
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.
| Points per game from | Manson | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.12 | 0.53 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.37 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.62 | 0.67 |
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: Manson vs Schaefer
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Manson 0G 0A, 6 SOG · Schaefer 0G 1A, 5 SOG
On the ice against each other (Manson's side)
9:06 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Manson's side
- Shot attempts
- 11–12
- 47.8%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.9
- 27.7%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Manson | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-04 | COL 3–6 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-11-16 | COL 4–1 NYI | 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.
Josh Manson
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)
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Josh Manson or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48. Manson had 31 points in 79 games; Schaefer had 59 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 Manson or Matthew Schaefer?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Manson and Schaefer done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Manson's team went 1–1. Manson had 0 points (0 goals) and Schaefer had 1 (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 →