Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Kyle Connor vs Sam Malinski

Kyle ConnorKyle ConnorJets · Left wingvsSam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Connor had 92 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Connor has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Connor for 2.4 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.1.

Kyle Connor has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Connor's biggest edges: Ascension score 58, Ice time per game 21:30, Ice-time share 35.4%.

Malinski's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Forecheck xG /60 0.44, High-danger chances 58.1%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Kyle Connor

2.43

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Kyle Connor has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromConnorMalinski
Goals (+2)1.020.18
Assists (+1)0.670.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.140.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.370.20
Hits (+0.1)0.050.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.170.64

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

Kyle Connor and Sam Malinski have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

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

ConnorMalinski

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 BOS
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to LW
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ DET2.4 pts
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to LW

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to D

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Kyle Connor or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Connor had 92 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, Kyle Connor or Sam Malinski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Kyle Connor leads in 17 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →