Who to start · 2025-26
Nathan MacKinnon vs Shayne Gostisbehere
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Shayne Gostisbehere's 1.93.
MacKinnon had 127 points in 80 games; Gostisbehere had 50 in 55 games.
This week MacKinnon has 1 game left; Gostisbehere has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project MacKinnon for 2.8 ESPN points to Gostisbehere's 1.9.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 25 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 455, On-ice PDO 1054, Top skating speed 24.8.
Gostisbehere's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.080, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.11, Fenwick 59.6%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nathan MacKinnon
3.32
fantasy points per game
Shayne Gostisbehere
1.93
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | MacKinnon | Gostisbehere |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.49 | 0.42 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.87 | 0.59 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.46 | 0.19 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.53 |
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 Gostisbehere
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
MacKinnon 7G 17A, 70 SOG · Gostisbehere 1G 5A, 33 SOG
MacKinnon blocked 1 of Gostisbehere's shots; Gostisbehere blocked 3 of MacKinnon's.
On the ice against each other (MacKinnon's side)
3:39 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from MacKinnon's side
- Shot attempts
- 3–7
- 30.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.6
- 16.3%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | MacKinnon | Gostisbehere |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | COL 5–3 CAR | 1G 3A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-05 | COL 3–5 CAR | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-11-09 | COL 6–4 CAR | 1G 3A 7S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-06 | COL 7–2 DET | 1G 3A 8S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-02-22 | COL 1–2 DET | 1G 0A 11S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2022-03-03 | COL 1–2 ARI | 0G 1A 7S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2022-01-15 | COL 5–0 ARI | 2G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-01-14 | COL 4–3 ARI | 0G 0A 7S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2019-12-11 | COL 3–1 PHI | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2018-10-22 | COL 4–1 PHI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2018-10-06 | COL 5–2 PHI | 1G 1A 7S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2018-03-28 | COL 1–2 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 13 meetings.
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)
2.8proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.8 ptsSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Shayne Gostisbehere
3games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 13th-most FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSHLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.8 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nathan MacKinnon or Shayne Gostisbehere 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 Shayne Gostisbehere's 1.93. MacKinnon had 127 points in 80 games; Gostisbehere had 50 in 55 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 Shayne Gostisbehere?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 25 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have MacKinnon and Gostisbehere done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, MacKinnon's team went 9–4. MacKinnon had 24 points (7 goals) and Gostisbehere had 6 (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 →