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Who to start · 2025-26

Lawson Crouse vs Matthew Schaefer

Lawson CrouseLawson CrouseMammoth · Left wingvsMatthew SchaeferMatthew SchaeferIslanders · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Lawson Crouse's 1.65.

Crouse had 44 points in 81 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.

This week Crouse has 2 games left with 2 tough matchups; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Crouse for 2.4 ESPN points to Schaefer's 2.4.

Lawson Crouse has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Crouse's biggest edges: Hits 212, Forecheck xG /60 0.32, High-danger chances 53.7%.

Schaefer's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59, Offensive-zone time 43.7%, Power-play share 70.2%.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Lawson Crouse

1.65

fantasy points per game

Matthew Schaefer

2.02

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromCrouseSchaefer
Goals (+2)0.560.53
Assists (+1)0.290.41
Power-play points (+0.5)0.040.10
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.170.27
Hits (+0.1)0.280.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.300.67

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

Lawson Crouse and Matthew Schaefer 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.

CrouseSchaefer

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.

Lawson Crouse

3games (2 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to LWLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.2 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.2 pts
    Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)

Matthew Schaefer

2games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to DLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Lawson Crouse 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 Lawson Crouse's 1.65. Crouse had 44 points in 81 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, Lawson Crouse or Matthew Schaefer?
On 2025-26 numbers, Lawson Crouse leads in 18 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 →