Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Sam Malinski vs Tage Thompson

Sam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · DefencevsTage ThompsonTage ThompsonSabres · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tage Thompson projects to 2.26 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Thompson had 81 in 81 games.

This week Malinski has 1 game left; Thompson has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Thompson for 2.6 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.

Tage Thompson has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Malinski's biggest edges: Plus/minus +43, Forecheck xG /60 0.44, Scoring chances 61.1%.

Thompson's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.008, Ice-time share 31.8%, Ice time per game 19:15.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Tage Thompson

2.26

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Tage Thompson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMalinskiThompson
Goals (+2)0.180.93
Assists (+1)0.370.47
Power-play points (+0.5)0.010.14
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.200.34
Hits (+0.1)0.050.10
Blocks (+0.5)0.640.28

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

Sam Malinski and Tage Thompson have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

MalinskiThompson

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.

Sam Malinski

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
    Schedule edge +9.3 win%

Tage Thompson

2games (1 left)

2.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJ
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI2.6 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to C

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Sam Malinski or Tage Thompson in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tage Thompson projects to 2.26 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Thompson had 81 in 81 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, Sam Malinski or Tage Thompson?
On 2025-26 numbers, Tage Thompson leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →