Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Matthew Schaefer vs Sam Bennett

Matthew SchaeferMatthew SchaeferIslanders · DefencevsSam BennettSam BennettPanthers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Bennett's 1.74.

Schaefer had 59 points in 82 games; Bennett had 58 in 76 games.

This week Schaefer has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Bennett has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Bennett's 1.9.

Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Schaefer's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59, Plus/minus +13, Top skating speed 23.1.

Bennett's biggest edges: Hits 115, Penalty minutes 82, Forecheck xG /60 0.31.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Matthew Schaefer

2.02

fantasy points per game

Sam Bennett

1.74

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchaeferBennett
Goals (+2)0.530.60
Assists (+1)0.410.43
Power-play points (+0.5)0.100.09
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.270.25
Hits (+0.1)0.050.19
Blocks (+0.5)0.670.19

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 Sam Bennett 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.

SchaeferBennett

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 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)

Sam Bennett

3games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ CAR
    Opp allows 13th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ SJS
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA1.9 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to CLikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Matthew Schaefer or Sam Bennett 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 Sam Bennett's 1.74. Schaefer had 59 points in 82 games; Bennett had 58 in 76 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 Sam Bennett?
On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer 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 →