Alex Ovechkin or Matthew Knies? Week 3
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Matthew Knies, narrowly. Both count 2 games left in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), so it comes down to value per game: 1.91 fantasy points to 1.90. Who to start in fantasy hockey in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), LWs ranked 20th and 21st at the position.
The Week 3 call
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Matthew Knies, narrowly. Both count 2 games left in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), so it comes down to value per game: 1.91 fantasy points to 1.90.
Categories leagues: Alex Ovechkin instead, -2.1 category value for the week to -4.9, because his category mix is worth more there.
Over WSH's last 5 games Alex Ovechkin played 5 games, 14:16 a night with 3:21 on the power play: line 4 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit.
Alex Ovechkin's ice time is down: 14:16 over his last 5 games against 16:49 on the board.
Over CBJ's last 4 games Matthew Knies played 4 games, 17:17 a night with 3:04 on the power play: line 1 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit.
WSH has a back-to-back and CBJ has a back-to-back in Week 3.
This is the call for one lineup slot across the week, the way weekly-lock leagues play it. In a daily-lineup league, start whichever of the two plays that night, and both when they fit.
Week 3 (Oct 12-18), side by side
| This week | Alex Ovechkin | Matthew Knies |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 2 | 2 |
| Back-to-backs | 1 | 1 |
| Games, Week 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Line by ice time | Line 4 | Line 1 |
| Power-play unit | PP1 | PP1 |
| TOI, last games | 14:16 (5) | 17:17 (4) |
| TOI, board | 16:49 | 18:32 |
| PP TOI, last games | 3:21 | 3:04 |
| Shots, last games | 1.6 | 2.0 |
| Injury | None listed | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Projected category value | -2.1 | -4.9 |
Schedule: Alex Ovechkin Tue @CAR, Wed MTL, Sat NJD. Matthew Knies Tue FLA, Sat NYR, Sun @MIN.
Projections are the board's per-game value times the games counted. A skater listed out, or who missed his team's last three games, counts none. A goalie counts his team's games times his share of its recent starts. Lines and power-play units are by ice time over the team's last five games. Stats and schedule from the NHL; injury designations from ESPN's public NHL injury list.
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The rest-of-season call
Season-long, points leagues: Matthew Knies, 1.91 fantasy points per game to 1.90.
Categories leagues: Alex Ovechkin instead, 112th overall against 165th, because the categories reward a different mix.
| Category (z per game) | Alex Ovechkin | Matthew Knies |
|---|---|---|
| A assists | -0.7 | 0.2 |
| G goals | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| +/- plus-minus | -0.4 | -1.7 |
| BLK blocked shots | -1.1 | -0.8 |
| HIT hits | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| PPP power-play points | -0.5 | -0.3 |
| SOG shots on goal | 0.6 | -0.8 |
Other close calls
Week 3 streamers and goalie starts · NHL waiver wire · Rest-of-season rankings
Common questions
Should I start Alex Ovechkin or Matthew Knies in Week 3?
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Matthew Knies, narrowly. Both count 2 games left in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), so it comes down to value per game: 1.91 fantasy points to 1.90. Categories leagues: Alex Ovechkin instead, -2.1 category value for the week to -4.9, because his category mix is worth more there. Over WSH's last 5 games Alex Ovechkin played 5 games, 14:16 a night with 3:21 on the power play: line 4 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit. Alex Ovechkin's ice time is down: 14:16 over his last 5 games against 16:49 on the board. Over CBJ's last 4 games Matthew Knies played 4 games, 17:17 a night with 3:04 on the power play: line 1 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit. WSH has a back-to-back and CBJ has a back-to-back in Week 3.
Who is better for the rest of the season, Alex Ovechkin or Matthew Knies?
Season-long, points leagues: Matthew Knies, 1.91 fantasy points per game to 1.90. Categories leagues: Alex Ovechkin instead, 112th overall against 165th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Alex Ovechkin or Matthew Knies?
Alex Ovechkin is ahead per game in 3 (goals, plus-minus, shots on goal); Matthew Knies in 3 (assists, blocked shots, power-play points).
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 13, 2026 at 8:39 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number