Who to start · 2025-26
Parker Kelly vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Parker Kelly projects to 1.51 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Kelly had 35 points in 82 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Kelly has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Malinski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Malinski for 1.1 ESPN points to Kelly's 0.9.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kelly's biggest edges: Ascension score 55, Hits 177, Goals above expected +7.5.
Malinski's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.77, Offensive-zone time 44.5%, Top skating speed 22.9.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Parker Kelly
1.51
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Parker Kelly has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kelly | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.22 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.13 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.33 | 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: Kelly vs Malinski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kelly 0G 0A, 2 SOG · Malinski 1G 1A, 3 SOG
Kelly blocked 5 of Malinski's shots; Malinski blocked 0 of Kelly's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
354:52 at 5-on-5 over 93 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 398–317
- 55.7%
- Expected goals
- 17.7–11.4
- 60.8%
- Goals
- 18–11
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kelly | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-16 | OTT 4–7 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2023-12-21 | OTT 4–6 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 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.
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.
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)
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Parker Kelly or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Parker Kelly projects to 1.51 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Kelly had 35 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, Parker Kelly or Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 20 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Kelly and Malinski done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Kelly's team went 0–2. Kelly had 0 points (0 goals) and Malinski had 2 (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 →