Who to start · 2025-26
Matthew Schaefer 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 Matthew Schaefer's 2.02.
Schaefer had 59 points in 82 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.
This week Schaefer has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; MacKinnon has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to MacKinnon's 2.2.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Schaefer's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.058, Ascension score 51.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.34, Scoring chances 59.3%, Expected goals 59.7%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Matthew Schaefer
2.02
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 | Schaefer | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.53 | 1.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.41 | 0.87 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.10 | 0.21 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.27 | 0.46 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.67 | 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: Schaefer vs MacKinnon
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Schaefer 0G 1A, 5 SOG · MacKinnon 0G 0A, 9 SOG
Schaefer blocked 1 of MacKinnon's shots; MacKinnon blocked 0 of Schaefer's.
On the ice against each other (Schaefer's side)
15:45 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schaefer's side
- Shot attempts
- 10–26
- 27.8%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–1.2
- 39.6%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schaefer | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-04 | NYI 6–3 COL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2025-11-16 | NYI 1–4 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
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.
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
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 +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Matthew Schaefer 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 Matthew Schaefer's 2.02. Schaefer had 59 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, Matthew Schaefer or Nathan MacKinnon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 26 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schaefer and MacKinnon done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Schaefer's team went 1–1. Schaefer had 1 points (0 goals) and MacKinnon had 0 (0 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 →