Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Mattias Ekholm vs Sam Malinski

Mattias EkholmMattias EkholmOilers · DefencevsSam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43.

Ekholm had 41 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Ekholm has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Malinski has 1 left. We project Malinski for 1.4 ESPN points to Ekholm's 1.1.

Mattias Ekholm has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Ekholm's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.038, Ice time per game 20:36, Ice-time share 34.0%.

Malinski's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1035, 20+ mph bursts 116, Luck Meter +47.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Mattias Ekholm

1.43

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Sam Malinski has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromEkholmMalinski
Goals (+2)0.130.18
Assists (+1)0.380.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.020.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.20
Hits (+0.1)0.080.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.670.64

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: Ekholm vs Malinski

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

EkholmMalinski
2Team record in 5 meetings3
1Points in those games3

Ekholm 0G 1A, 6 SOG · Malinski 1G 2A, 10 SOG

0Shots blocked by the other1

Ekholm blocked 0 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 1 of Ekholm's.

On the ice against each other (Ekholm's side)

15:05 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Ekholm's side

Shot attempts
13–15
46.4%
Expected goals
0.6–1.0
36.1%
Goals
0–1

Games against each other

Games between Mattias Ekholm and Sam Malinski
DateScoreEkholmMalinski
2026-04-13EDM 1–2 COL0G 0A 1S1G 0A 4S
2026-03-10EDM 4–3 COL0G 0A 0S0G 1A 4S
2025-11-08EDM 1–9 COL0G 0A 4S0G 1A 1S
2025-02-07EDM 4–5 COL0G 1A 1S0G 0A 0S
2024-11-30EDM 4–1 COL0G 0A 0S0G 0A 1S

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

EkholmMalinski

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 DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.1 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
    Schedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Mattias Ekholm or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Malinski projects to 1.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43. Ekholm had 41 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 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, Mattias Ekholm or Sam Malinski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mattias Ekholm leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Ekholm and Malinski done against each other?
In 5 games against each other in our data, Ekholm's team went 2–3. Ekholm had 1 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 3 (1 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 →