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Who to start · 2025-26

Adam Fantilli vs Alexander Nikishin

Adam FantilliAdam FantilliBlue Jackets · CentrevsAlexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Adam Fantilli projects to 1.92 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Fantilli had 59 points in 82 games; Nikishin had 33 in 81 games.

This week Fantilli has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Nikishin has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Fantilli's 1.6.

Adam Fantilli has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Fantilli's biggest edges: Ice time per game 18:54, Ice-time share 31.0%, Blocked shots 51.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.7, Plus/minus +18, Forecheck xG /60 0.42.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Adam Fantilli

1.83

fantasy points per game

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Adam Fantilli has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromFantilliNikishin
Goals (+2)0.590.27
Assists (+1)0.430.27
Power-play points (+0.5)0.080.06
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.260.15
Hits (+0.1)0.170.16
Blocks (+0.5)0.310.58

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: Fantilli vs Nikishin

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

FantilliNikishin
1Team record in 4 meetings3
3Points in those games2

Fantilli 1G 2A, 8 SOG · Nikishin 1G 1A, 3 SOG

0Hits on each other1

On the ice against each other (Fantilli's side)

5:22 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Fantilli's side

Shot attempts
3–3
50.0%
Expected goals
0.1–0.2
34.9%
Goals
1–0

Games against each other

Games between Adam Fantilli and Alexander Nikishin
DateScoreFantilliNikishin
2026-04-02CBJ 1–5 CAR0G 0A 0S1G 0A 1S
2026-03-31CBJ 2–5 CAR1G 0A 5S0G 0A 1S
2026-03-17CBJ 5–1 CAR0G 2A 1S0G 1A 1S
2025-12-09CBJ 1–4 CAR0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

FantilliNikishin

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Adam Fantilli

2games (1 left)

1.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to CLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.6 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to CLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Alexander Nikishin

3games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −8.7 win%vs Joseph Woll (.899)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Adam Fantilli or Alexander Nikishin in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Adam Fantilli projects to 1.92 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Fantilli had 59 points in 82 games; Nikishin had 33 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, Adam Fantilli or Alexander Nikishin?
On 2025-26 numbers, Adam Fantilli leads in 17 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Fantilli and Nikishin done against each other?
In 4 games against each other in our data, Fantilli's team went 1–3. Fantilli had 3 points (1 goals) and Nikishin had 2 (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 →