Who to start · 2025-26
Aleksander Barkov vs Nikita Kucherov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Aleksander Barkov's 0.65 (2 games so far).
Barkov had 0 points in 2 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Barkov has 1 game left; Kucherov has 1 left.
- • Aleksander Barkov has no 2025-26 NHL games, so his numbers are this season's only.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Aleksander Barkov
0.65
fantasy points per game
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barkov | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.00 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.00 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.50 | 0.21 |
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: Barkov vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barkov 9G 27A, 115 SOG · Kucherov 20G 43A, 122 SOG
Barkov's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Barkov's defensive zone 0–1 (2024-25)
Barkov blocked 4 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 1 of Barkov's.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barkov | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-30 · PO | FLA 6–3 TBL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-04-28 · PO | FLA 4–2 TBL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-04-26 · PO | FLA 1–5 TBL | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 3A 1S |
| 2025-04-24 · PO | FLA 2–0 TBL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-04-22 · PO | FLA 6–2 TBL | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-03-03 | FLA 2–1 TBL | 2G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-12-23 | FLA 0–4 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2024-12-22 | FLA 4–2 TBL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-29 · PO | FLA 6–1 TBL | 2G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-04-27 · PO | FLA 3–6 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 3A 1S |
| 2024-04-25 · PO | FLA 5–3 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2024-04-23 · PO | FLA 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 42 meetings.
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.
Aleksander Barkov
3games (1 left)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ CAR
- Thu, Oct 1 @ SJS
- Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
3.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH3.0 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Aleksander Barkov or Nikita Kucherov in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Aleksander Barkov's 0.65 (2 games so far). Barkov had 0 points in 2 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games. Check this week's games and your league's scoring in the fantasy panel above, since more games usually decide a weekly start.
- How have Barkov and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 42 games against each other in our data, Barkov's team went 17–25. Barkov had 36 points (9 goals) and Kucherov had 63 (20 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Barkov or Kucherov?
- Against each other, Barkov has won 0 and Kucherov 1 of their 1 head-to-head draws.
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 →