Who to start · 2025-26
Sam Malinski vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Malinski has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left. We project Smith for 1.6 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Sam Malinski has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Malinski's biggest edges: High-danger chances 58.1%, Faceoffs won 0, Fenwick 58.7%.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, Ice-time share 29.9%, Ice time per game 18:11.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Will Smith has the edge.
| Points per game from | Malinski | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.18 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.37 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.64 | 0.08 |
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 Smith
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.
Malinski 1G 0A, 13 SOG · Smith 0G 0A, 12 SOG
On the ice against each other (Malinski's side)
10:05 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Malinski's side
- Shot attempts
- 11–6
- 64.7%
- Expected goals
- 1.0–0.4
- 72.4%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Malinski | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-04 | COL 4–2 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-11-26 | COL 6–0 SJS | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-11-01 | COL 2–3 SJS | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-12-19 | COL 4–2 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-10-20 | COL 4–1 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 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.
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 LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.6 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Sam Malinski or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Malinski leads in 17 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 Smith done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Malinski's team went 4–1. Malinski had 1 points (1 goals) and Smith 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 →