Who to start · 2025-26
Kyle Connor vs Nathan MacKinnon
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Kyle Connor's 2.43.
Connor had 92 points in 82 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.
This week Connor has 1 game left; MacKinnon has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Connor for 2.4 ESPN points to MacKinnon's 2.2.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 30 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Connor's biggest edges: Ascension score 57, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.028, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.31.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 681, Top skating speed 24.8, Forecheck xG /60 0.34.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Kyle Connor
2.43
fantasy points per game
Nathan MacKinnon
3.32
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | Connor | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.02 | 1.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.67 | 0.87 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.14 | 0.21 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.37 | 0.46 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.21 |
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: Connor vs MacKinnon
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Connor 15G 9A, 106 SOG · MacKinnon 18G 26A, 160 SOG
Connor blocked 2 of MacKinnon's shots; MacKinnon blocked 2 of Connor's.
On the ice against each other (Connor's side)
23:09 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Connor's side
- Shot attempts
- 17–31
- 35.4%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–1.5
- 42.5%
- Goals
- 2–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Connor | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-28 | WPG 4–2 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-03-26 | WPG 2–3 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 2G 0A 7S |
| 2026-03-14 | WPG 3–1 COL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-19 | WPG 2–3 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-22 | WPG 3–2 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 7S |
| 2025-01-11 | WPG 3–0 COL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-12-31 | WPG 2–5 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 6S |
| 2024-11-07 | WPG 1–0 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-30 · PO | WPG 3–6 COL | 1G 0A 6S | 0G 2A 7S |
| 2024-04-28 · PO | WPG 1–5 COL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2024-04-26 · PO | WPG 2–6 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 8S |
| 2024-04-23 · PO | WPG 2–5 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 32 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.
Kyle Connor
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOSOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET2.4 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to LWLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Nathan MacKinnon
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.2 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Kyle Connor or Nathan MacKinnon in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Kyle Connor's 2.43. Connor had 92 points in 82 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 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, Kyle Connor or Nathan MacKinnon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 30 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Connor and MacKinnon done against each other?
- In 32 games against each other in our data, Connor's team went 14–18. Connor had 24 points (15 goals) and MacKinnon had 44 (18 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 →