Who to start · 2025-26
Lawson Crouse vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Lawson Crouse projects to 1.65 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
Crouse had 44 points in 81 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week Crouse has 2 games left; Cates has 1 left. We project Crouse for 3.0 ESPN points to Cates's 1.2.
Lawson Crouse has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Crouse's biggest edges: Hardest shot 92.8, 20+ mph bursts 155, Transition attempts /60 1.80.
Cates's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.031, Faceoffs won 467, Power-play points 9.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Lawson Crouse
1.65
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Lawson Crouse has the edge.
| Points per game from | Crouse | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.56 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.29 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.17 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.28 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 0.30 |
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: Crouse vs Cates
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Crouse 1G 0A, 12 SOG · Cates 0G 0A, 7 SOG
Crouse's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–2 · Crouse's defensive zone 0–0 (2023-24 to 2024-25)
On the ice against each other (Crouse's side)
5:09 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Crouse's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–6
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.1
- 74.6%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Crouse | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-05 | UTA 3–0 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-01-21 | UTA 5–4 PHI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-08 | UTA 4–2 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-02-12 | ARI 3–5 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-01-05 | ARI 2–6 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-12-11 | ARI 5–4 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
Lawson Crouse
3games (2 left)
3.0proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.5 ptsSchedule edge −1.0 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.5 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Lawson Crouse or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Lawson Crouse projects to 1.65 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Crouse had 44 points in 81 games; Cates had 47 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 Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Lawson Crouse leads in 20 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Crouse and Cates done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, Crouse's team went 4–2. Crouse had 1 points (1 goals) and Cates had 0 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Crouse or Cates?
- Against each other, Crouse has won 0 and Cates 2 of their 2 head-to-head draws.
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 →