Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Mattias Ekholm vs Sam Bennett

Mattias EkholmMattias EkholmOilers · DefencevsSam BennettSam BennettPanthers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Bennett projects to 1.74 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43.

Ekholm had 41 points in 82 games; Bennett had 58 in 76 games.

This week Ekholm has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Bennett has 1 left. We project Bennett for 1.6 ESPN points to Ekholm's 1.1.

Mattias Ekholm has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Ekholm's biggest edges: Plus/minus +32, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.21, Transition attempts /60 0.80.

Bennett's biggest edges: Goals above expected +0.6, Penalty minutes 82, Luck Meter +36.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Mattias Ekholm

1.43

fantasy points per game

Sam Bennett

1.74

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Sam Bennett has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromEkholmBennett
Goals (+2)0.130.60
Assists (+1)0.380.43
Power-play points (+0.5)0.020.09
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.25
Hits (+0.1)0.080.19
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

Mattias Ekholm 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.

EkholmBennett

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.

Mattias Ekholm

3games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to D
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.1 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to D

Sam Bennett

3games (1 left)

1.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ CAR
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ SJS
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA1.6 pts

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Mattias Ekholm or Sam Bennett in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Bennett projects to 1.74 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43. Ekholm had 41 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, Mattias Ekholm or Sam Bennett?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mattias Ekholm 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 →