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Who to start · 2025-26

Matthew Schaefer vs Quinn Hughes

Matthew SchaeferMatthew SchaeferIslanders · DefencevsQuinn HughesQuinn HughesWild · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matthew Schaefer's 2.02.

Schaefer had 59 points in 82 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 games.

This week Schaefer has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Hughes has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Hughes's 1.7.

Quinn Hughes has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Schaefer's biggest edges: Goals above expected +3.8, Luck Meter +35, Plus/minus +13.

Hughes's biggest edges: Scoring chances 53.6%, Expected goals 54.3%, Corsi 53.0%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Matthew Schaefer

2.02

fantasy points per game

Quinn Hughes

2.16

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Quinn Hughes has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchaeferHughes
Goals (+2)0.530.18
Assists (+1)0.410.94
Power-play points (+0.5)0.100.22
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.270.27
Hits (+0.1)0.050.01
Blocks (+0.5)0.670.55

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

Matthew Schaefer and Quinn Hughes 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.

SchaeferHughes

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.

Matthew Schaefer

2games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to D

Quinn Hughes

2games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.7 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Matthew Schaefer or Quinn Hughes in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matthew Schaefer's 2.02. Schaefer had 59 points in 82 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 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 Quinn Hughes?
On 2025-26 numbers, Quinn Hughes 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 →