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Who to start · 2025-26

Sam Malinski vs Trevor Zegras

Sam MalinskiSam MalinskiAvalanche · DefencevsTrevor ZegrasTrevor ZegrasFlyers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Trevor Zegras projects to 1.53 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.

Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Zegras had 67 in 81 games.

This week Malinski has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Zegras has 1 left. We project Zegras for 1.2 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.1.

They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 16–16.

Malinski's biggest edges: Hardest shot 96.8, Top skating speed 22.9, 20+ mph bursts 116.

Zegras's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 62, Ice time per game 18:43, Ice-time share 30.5%.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Sam Malinski

1.44

fantasy points per game

Trevor Zegras

1.53

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Trevor Zegras has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMalinskiZegras
Goals (+2)0.180.57
Assists (+1)0.370.45
Power-play points (+0.5)0.010.13
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.200.19
Hits (+0.1)0.050.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.640.15

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: Malinski vs Zegras

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

MalinskiZegras
3Team record in 4 meetings1
1Points in those games0

Malinski 0G 1A, 7 SOG · Zegras 0G 0A, 6 SOG

1Shots blocked by the other1

Malinski blocked 1 of Zegras's shots; Zegras blocked 1 of Malinski's.

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

9:45 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Malinski's side

Shot attempts
12–6
66.7%
Expected goals
0.2–0.7
20.4%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Sam Malinski and Trevor Zegras
DateScoreMalinskiZegras
2026-01-23COL 3–7 PHI0G 0A 2S0G 0A 1S
2025-12-07COL 3–2 PHI0G 0A 1S0G 0A 2S
2025-04-13COL 4–2 ANA0G 1A 3S0G 0A 0S
2024-10-18COL 4–3 ANA0G 0A 1S0G 0A 3S

Every stat, side by side

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

MalinskiZegras

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)

1.1proj. 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 +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Trevor Zegras

3games (1 left)

1.2proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
    Opp allows the fewest FP to CLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 8th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.2 pts
    Opp allows 13th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Sam Malinski or Trevor Zegras in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Trevor Zegras projects to 1.53 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Zegras had 67 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 Trevor Zegras?
On 2025-26 numbers they split 16–16 across 34 stats where both qualify.
How have Malinski and Zegras done against each other?
In 4 games against each other in our data, Malinski's team went 3–1. Malinski had 1 points (0 goals) and Zegras had 0 (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 →