Erik Karlsson or Lane Hutson? Week 3
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Erik Karlsson, narrowly. Both count 2 games left in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), so it comes down to value per game: 1.81 fantasy points to 1.79. Who to start in fantasy hockey in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), defensemen ranked 18th and 19th at the position.
The Week 3 call
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Erik Karlsson, narrowly. Both count 2 games left in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), so it comes down to value per game: 1.81 fantasy points to 1.79.
Categories leagues: Lane Hutson instead, 0.2 category value for the week to -0.6, because his category mix is worth more there.
Over PIT's last 5 games Erik Karlsson played 5 games, 24:04 a night with 3:44 on the power play: pair 1 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit.
Over MTL's last 5 games Lane Hutson played 5 games, 26:45 a night with 4:13 on the power play: pair 1 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit.
Lane Hutson's ice time is up: 26:45 over his last 5 games against 24:22 on the board.
PIT has a back-to-back and MTL 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 | Erik Karlsson | Lane Hutson |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 2 | 2 |
| Back-to-backs | 1 | 1 |
| Games, Week 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Line by ice time | Pair 1 | Pair 1 |
| Power-play unit | PP1 | PP1 |
| TOI, last games | 24:04 (5) | 26:45 (5) |
| TOI, board | 23:33 | 24:22 |
| PP TOI, last games | 3:44 | 4:13 |
| Shots, last games | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Injury | None listed | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| Projected category value | -0.6 | 0.2 |
Schedule: Erik Karlsson Tue @CHI, Fri @COL, Sat @VGK. Lane Hutson Tue BUF, Wed @WSH, Sat BUF.
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: Erik Karlsson, 1.81 fantasy points per game to 1.79.
Categories leagues: Lane Hutson instead, 84th overall against 90th, because the categories reward a different mix.
| Category (z per game) | Erik Karlsson | Lane Hutson |
|---|---|---|
| A assists | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| G goals | -1.1 | -1.3 |
| +/- plus-minus | 0.3 | 1.1 |
| BLK blocked shots | -0.1 | 1.2 |
| HIT hits | -1.0 | -0.9 |
| PPP power-play points | 0.7 | -0.4 |
| SOG shots on goal | -0.2 | -1.1 |
Other close calls
Week 3 streamers and goalie starts · NHL waiver wire · Rest-of-season rankings
Common questions
Should I start Erik Karlsson or Lane Hutson in Week 3?
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Erik Karlsson, narrowly. Both count 2 games left in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), so it comes down to value per game: 1.81 fantasy points to 1.79. Categories leagues: Lane Hutson instead, 0.2 category value for the week to -0.6, because his category mix is worth more there. Over PIT's last 5 games Erik Karlsson played 5 games, 24:04 a night with 3:44 on the power play: pair 1 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit. Over MTL's last 5 games Lane Hutson played 5 games, 26:45 a night with 4:13 on the power play: pair 1 by even-strength ice time and the first power-play unit. Lane Hutson's ice time is up: 26:45 over his last 5 games against 24:22 on the board. PIT has a back-to-back and MTL has a back-to-back in Week 3.
Who is better for the rest of the season, Erik Karlsson or Lane Hutson?
Season-long, points leagues: Erik Karlsson, 1.81 fantasy points per game to 1.79. Categories leagues: Lane Hutson instead, 84th overall against 90th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Erik Karlsson or Lane Hutson?
Erik Karlsson is ahead per game in 3 (goals, power-play points, shots on goal); Lane Hutson in 4 (assists, plus-minus, blocked shots, hits).
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 13, 2026 at 8:39 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number