Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Sam Malinski vs Tom Wilson

Sam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · DefencevsTom WilsonTom WilsonCapitals · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tom Wilson projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Wilson had 62 in 72 games.

This week Malinski has 1 game left; Wilson has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Wilson for 2.3 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.

Tom Wilson has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Malinski's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Transition attempts /60 0.77, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.29.

Wilson's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 117, Ice-time share 32.1%, Ice time per game 19:28.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Tom Wilson

2.24

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Tom Wilson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMalinskiWilson
Goals (+2)0.180.78
Assists (+1)0.370.48
Power-play points (+0.5)0.010.08
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.200.20
Hits (+0.1)0.050.25
Blocks (+0.5)0.640.44

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 Tom Wilson 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.

MalinskiWilson

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%

Tom Wilson

2games (1 left)

2.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Fri, Oct 2 @ CAR
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to RW
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B2.3 pts
    Opp allows the most FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Sam Malinski or Tom Wilson in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tom Wilson projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Wilson had 62 in 72 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 Tom Wilson?
On 2025-26 numbers, Tom Wilson leads in 17 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 →