Who to start · 2025-26
Sam Malinski vs Vince Dunn
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vince Dunn projects to 1.83 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Dunn had 44 in 81 games.
This week Malinski has 1 game left; Dunn has 2 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Dunn for 3.6 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Malinski's biggest edges: Plus/minus +43, High-danger chances 58.1%, Fenwick 58.7%.
Dunn's biggest edges: Ascension score 54, Penalty minutes 54, Power-play share 67.1%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Vince Dunn
1.83
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Vince Dunn has the edge.
| Points per game from | Malinski | Dunn |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.18 | 0.38 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.37 | 0.51 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.22 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.64 | 0.53 |
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 Dunn
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.
Malinski 0G 1A, 10 SOG · Dunn 0G 2A, 12 SOG
Malinski blocked 0 of Dunn's shots; Dunn blocked 1 of Malinski's.
On the ice against each other (Malinski's side)
20:05 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Malinski's side
- Shot attempts
- 25–27
- 48.1%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.5
- 64.4%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Malinski | Dunn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-16 | COL 2–0 SEA | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-03-12 | COL 5–1 SEA | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-12-16 | COL 5–3 SEA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2024-12-22 | COL 5–2 SEA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-11-13 | COL 5–1 SEA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 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.
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.
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Vince Dunn
3games (2 left)
3.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGYOpp allows the most FP to DLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.8 ptsOpp allows 10th-most FP to DLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.8 ptsOpp allows the most FP to DLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Sam Malinski or Vince Dunn in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vince Dunn projects to 1.83 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Dunn had 44 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 Vince Dunn?
- 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 Malinski and Dunn done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Malinski's team went 5–0. Malinski had 1 points (0 goals) and Dunn had 2 (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 →