Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Schmaltz vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.8 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052, Ice-time share 32.7%, Ice time per game 19:43.
Malinski's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.77, Forecheck xG /60 0.44, Hits 46.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 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
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schmaltz | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.88 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.47 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 0.64 |
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: Schmaltz vs Malinski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Schmaltz 2G 2A, 17 SOG · Malinski 0G 3A, 13 SOG
Schmaltz blocked 1 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 0 of Schmaltz's.
On the ice against each other (Schmaltz's side)
16:16 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Schmaltz's side
- Shot attempts
- 16–14
- 53.3%
- Expected goals
- 1.0–0.5
- 64.7%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schmaltz | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-25 | UTA 2–4 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-12-23 | UTA 0–1 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-10-21 | UTA 4–3 COL | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-09 | UTA 1–2 COL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-27 | UTA 1–4 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-12-12 | UTA 4–1 COL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-10-24 | UTA 1–5 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-12-27 | ARI 5–4 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-12-23 | ARI 1–4 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 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.
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.8proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.8 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 ptsOpp allows 10th-most FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Schmaltz or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Schmaltz had 74 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, Nick Schmaltz or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schmaltz and Malinski done against each other?
- In 9 games against each other in our data, Schmaltz's team went 3–6. Schmaltz had 4 points (2 goals) and Malinski had 3 (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 →