Who to start · 2025-26
Josh Manson vs Robert Thomas
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48.
Manson had 31 points in 79 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 games.
This week Manson has 1 game left; Thomas has 1 left. We project Thomas for 1.8 ESPN points to Manson's 1.4.
Robert Thomas has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Manson's biggest edges: Hits 174, Hardest shot 95.4, Transition attempts /60 0.59.
Thomas's biggest edges: Goals above expected +5.4, Ice time per game 19:01, Ice-time share 31.3%.
- • 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, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Josh Manson
1.48
fantasy points per game
Robert Thomas
1.89
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Robert Thomas has the edge.
| Points per game from | Manson | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.12 | 0.73 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.37 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.62 | 0.29 |
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 Thomas
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Manson 3G 8A, 39 SOG · Thomas 11G 7A, 42 SOG
Manson blocked 0 of Thomas's shots; Thomas blocked 1 of Manson's.
On the ice against each other (Manson's side)
14:08 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Manson's side
- Shot attempts
- 19–13
- 59.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.7
- 54.9%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Manson | Thomas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | COL 3–1 STL | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-05 | COL 2–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 3G 0A 5S |
| 2025-12-31 | COL 6–1 STL | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-01-31 | COL 5–0 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-03-19 | COL 4–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2023-12-29 | COL 2–1 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2023-11-11 | COL 2–8 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 4A 3S |
| 2023-11-01 | COL 4–1 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-14 | COL 2–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2022-05-27 · PO | COL 3–2 STL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2022-05-25 · PO | COL 4–5 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 2G 0A 6S |
| 2022-05-23 · PO | COL 6–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
Latest 12 of 23 meetings.
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)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Robert Thomas
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DAL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.8 ptsSchedule edge −12.8 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Josh Manson or Robert Thomas in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48. Manson had 31 points in 79 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 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 Robert Thomas?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Robert Thomas leads in 23 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 Thomas done against each other?
- In 23 games against each other in our data, Manson's team went 15–8. Manson had 11 points (3 goals) and Thomas had 18 (11 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 →