Who to start · 2025-26
Alex DeBrincat vs Alexander Nikishin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex DeBrincat projects to 2.20 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.
DeBrincat had 85 points in 82 games; Nikishin had 33 in 81 games.
This week DeBrincat has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Nikishin has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project DeBrincat for 2.3 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.
Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrincat's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.78, Ice-time share 30.5%, Ice time per game 18:30.
Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, Offensive-zone start % 67.9%, Faceoffs won 0.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex DeBrincat
2.31
fantasy points per game
Alexander Nikishin
1.50
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Alex DeBrincat has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrincat | Nikishin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.00 | 0.27 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.54 | 0.27 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.14 | 0.06 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.16 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.24 | 0.58 |
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: DeBrincat 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.
DeBrincat 1G 3A, 6 SOG · Nikishin 0G 1A, 3 SOG
On the ice against each other (DeBrincat's side)
9:15 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from DeBrincat's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–15
- 28.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.3
- 49.8%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrincat | Nikishin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-28 | DET 2–5 CAR | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-01-12 | DET 4–3 CAR | 1G 2A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-12-27 | DET 2–5 CAR | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
Alex DeBrincat
2games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs NYROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Dylan Garand (.948)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs WPG2.3 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to RWLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
Alexander Nikishin
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSHOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −8.7 win%vs Joseph Woll (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex DeBrincat or Alexander Nikishin in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex DeBrincat projects to 2.20 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. DeBrincat had 85 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, Alex DeBrincat or Alexander Nikishin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin 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 DeBrincat and Nikishin done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, DeBrincat's team went 1–2. DeBrincat had 4 points (1 goals) and Nikishin had 1 (0 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 →