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Who to start · 2025-26

Lane Hutson vs Will Smith

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Lane Hutson projects to 2.13 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94.

Hutson had 78 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.

This week Hutson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Smith has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Smith for 1.9 ESPN points to Hutson's 1.5.

Lane Hutson has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Hutson's biggest edges: Blocked shots 137, High-danger chances 53.2%, Faceoffs won 0.

Smith's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.05, Ascension score 64, Hardest shot 90.3.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Lane Hutson

2.13

fantasy points per game

Will Smith

1.94

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Lane Hutson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromHutsonSmith
Goals (+2)0.270.90
Assists (+1)0.750.54
Power-play points (+0.5)0.110.15
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.140.24
Hits (+0.1)0.040.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.810.08

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: Hutson vs Smith

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.

HutsonSmith
2Team record in 4 meetings2
3Points in those games4

Hutson 0G 3A, 6 SOG · Smith 2G 2A, 5 SOG

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

7:46 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Hutson's side

Shot attempts
1–7
12.5%
Expected goals
0.0–0.5
2.8%
Goals
0–1

Games against each other

Games between Lane Hutson and Will Smith
DateScoreHutsonSmith
2026-03-14MTL 2–4 SJS0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S
2026-03-03MTL 5–7 SJS0G 1A 1S1G 1A 1S
2025-02-27MTL 4–3 SJS0G 1A 1S1G 1A 4S
2025-02-04MTL 4–3 SJS0G 1A 2S0G 0A 0S

Every stat, side by side

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

HutsonSmith

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.

Lane Hutson

2games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.5 pts
    Opp allows the fewest FP to DLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)

Will Smith

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
    Opp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 pts
    Opp allows the most FP to CSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)

FAQ

Should I start Lane Hutson or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Lane Hutson projects to 2.13 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94. Hutson had 78 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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, Lane Hutson or Will Smith?
On 2025-26 numbers, Lane Hutson 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 Hutson and Smith done against each other?
In 4 games against each other in our data, Hutson's team went 2–2. Hutson had 3 points (0 goals) and Smith had 4 (2 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 →