Who to start · 2025-26
Nathan MacKinnon vs Parker Kelly
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Parker Kelly's 1.51.
MacKinnon had 127 points in 80 games; Kelly had 35 in 82 games.
This week MacKinnon has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kelly has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project MacKinnon for 2.2 ESPN points to Kelly's 0.9.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 25 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: Power-play time per game 4:13, Power-play share 79.5%, Ice time per game 22:16.
Kelly's biggest edges: Hits 177, Ascension score 55, Blocked shots 58.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nathan MacKinnon
3.32
fantasy points per game
Parker Kelly
1.51
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | MacKinnon | Kelly |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.49 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.87 | 0.22 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.46 | 0.13 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.22 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.33 |
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: MacKinnon vs Kelly
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
MacKinnon 4G 5A, 15 SOG · Kelly 0G 0A, 4 SOG
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
15:16 at 5-on-5 over 11 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 19–13
- 59.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.2
- 84.7%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | MacKinnon | Kelly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-16 | COL 7–4 OTT | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-12-21 | COL 6–4 OTT | 4G 1A 9S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-01-14 | COL 7–0 OTT | 0G 2A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
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 +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Parker Kelly
2games (1 left)
0.9proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL0.9 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nathan MacKinnon or Parker Kelly 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 Parker Kelly's 1.51. MacKinnon had 127 points in 80 games; Kelly had 35 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, Nathan MacKinnon or Parker Kelly?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 25 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have MacKinnon and Kelly done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, MacKinnon's team went 3–0. MacKinnon had 9 points (4 goals) and Kelly 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 →