Who to start · 2025-26
Sam Malinski vs Zach Werenski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.
This week Malinski has 1 game left; Werenski has 1 left. We project Werenski for 2.5 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Zach Werenski has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Malinski's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.44, On-ice PDO 1035, Plus/minus +43.
Werenski's biggest edges: Ice-time share 43.6%, Ice time per game 26:37, Ascension score 51.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Zach Werenski
2.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Zach Werenski has the edge.
| Points per game from | Malinski | Werenski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.18 | 0.55 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.37 | 0.86 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.64 | 0.62 |
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 Werenski
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 0G 1A, 9 SOG · Werenski 1G 0A, 15 SOG
Malinski blocked 1 of Werenski's shots; Werenski blocked 0 of Malinski's.
On the ice against each other (Malinski's side)
16:10 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Malinski's side
- Shot attempts
- 26–23
- 53.1%
- Expected goals
- 1.0–0.6
- 62.3%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Malinski | Werenski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-10 | COL 4–0 CBJ | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-10-16 | COL 4–1 CBJ | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-04-03 | COL 7–3 CBJ | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-10-12 | COL 4–6 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 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.
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 (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
Zach Werenski
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA2.5 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Sam Malinski or Zach Werenski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44. Malinski had 40 points in 82 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 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 Zach Werenski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Zach Werenski leads in 19 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 Werenski 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 Werenski had 1 (1 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 →