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Who to start · 2025-26

Pavel Zacha vs Sam Malinski

Pavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · CentrevsSam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Zacha had 65 points in 78 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.

This week Zacha has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Malinski for 1.1 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Sam Malinski has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Zacha's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.4, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.019, Power-play share 65.7%.

Malinski's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.44, High-danger chances 58.1%, Expected goals 62.1%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Pavel Zacha

1.70

fantasy points per game

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Pavel Zacha has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromZachaMalinski
Goals (+2)0.680.18
Assists (+1)0.400.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.120.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.180.20
Hits (+0.1)0.080.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.240.64

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: Zacha 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.

ZachaMalinski
4Team record in 6 meetings2
3Points in those games2

Zacha 0G 3A, 12 SOG · Malinski 1G 1A, 8 SOG

1Shots blocked by the other0

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

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

6:12 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Zacha's side

Shot attempts
6–4
60.0%
Expected goals
0.1–0.0
99.3%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Pavel Zacha and Sam Malinski
DateScoreZachaMalinski
2025-10-25BOS 3–2 COL0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S
2025-10-18BOS 1–4 COL0G 0A 1S0G 0A 1S
2025-01-25BOS 3–1 COL0G 1A 0S0G 0A 2S
2024-10-16BOS 5–3 COL0G 0A 3S0G 0A 2S
2024-01-18BOS 5–2 COL0G 1A 2S0G 1A 2S
2024-01-08BOS 3–4 COL0G 1A 4S1G 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.

ZachaMalinski

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.

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Pavel Zacha or Sam Malinski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Zacha had 65 points in 78 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, Pavel Zacha or Sam Malinski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski 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 Zacha and Malinski done against each other?
In 6 games against each other in our data, Zacha's team went 4–2. Zacha had 3 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 →