Who to start · 2025-26
Alex DeBrincat vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex DeBrincat projects to 2.20 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nick Schmaltz's 2.05.
DeBrincat had 85 points in 82 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week DeBrincat has 1 game left; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 4.1 ESPN points to DeBrincat's 2.3.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrincat's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.78, Forecheck xG /60 0.34, Hits 38.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Goals above expected +5.3, Scoring chances 55.7%, Offensive-zone start % 65.4%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex DeBrincat
2.20
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Alex DeBrincat has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrincat | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.94 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.33 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.30 |
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 Schmaltz
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
DeBrincat 5G 6A, 44 SOG · Schmaltz 3G 10A, 27 SOG
DeBrincat's offensive zone 0–1 · neutral 0–0 · DeBrincat's defensive zone 0–0 (2021-22)
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (DeBrincat's side)
2:51 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from DeBrincat's side
- Shot attempts
- 3–3
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.0
- 53.1%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrincat | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-04 | DET 1–4 UTA | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 6S |
| 2025-12-17 | DET 1–4 UTA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-03-24 | DET 5–1 UTA | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-03-06 | DET 2–4 UTA | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-14 | DET 1–4 ARI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-03-08 | DET 0–4 ARI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-01-12 | OTT 5–3 ARI | 1G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-04-20 | CHI 4–3 ARI | 1G 1A 6S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2022-04-03 | CHI 2–3 ARI | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-01-06 | CHI 4–6 ARI | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2020-02-01 | CHI 3–2 ARI | 0G 0A 8S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-12-12 | CHI 2–5 ARI | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 13 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.
Alex DeBrincat
2games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs NYRSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 vs WPG2.3 pts
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
4.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ2.0 ptsSchedule edge −1.0 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex DeBrincat or Nick Schmaltz 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 Nick Schmaltz's 2.05. DeBrincat had 85 points in 82 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 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 Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have DeBrincat and Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, DeBrincat's team went 4–9. DeBrincat had 11 points (5 goals) and Schmaltz had 13 (3 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, DeBrincat or Schmaltz?
- Against each other, DeBrincat has won 0 and Schmaltz 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 →