Who to start · 2025-26
Alex DeBrincat vs Vasily Podkolzin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex DeBrincat projects to 2.20 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vasily Podkolzin's 1.91.
DeBrincat had 85 points in 82 games; Podkolzin had 37 in 82 games.
This week DeBrincat has 1 game left; Podkolzin has 1 left. We project DeBrincat for 2.3 ESPN points to Podkolzin's 1.5.
Alex DeBrincat has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrincat's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.78, Power-play time per game 3:17, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.20.
Podkolzin's biggest edges: Ascension score 78, Hits 242, Penalty minutes 63.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 3 PPP, 11 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex DeBrincat
2.20
fantasy points per game
Vasily Podkolzin
1.91
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Alex DeBrincat has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrincat | Podkolzin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.94 | 0.76 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.33 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.30 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.28 |
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 Podkolzin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
DeBrincat 0G 2A, 16 SOG · Podkolzin 0G 1A, 6 SOG
On the ice against each other (DeBrincat's side)
8:03 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from DeBrincat's side
- Shot attempts
- 15–7
- 68.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.3
- 53.2%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrincat | Podkolzin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-11 | DET 1–4 EDM | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-10-19 | DET 4–2 EDM | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-01-30 | DET 3–2 EDM | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-10-27 | DET 2–3 EDM | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-03-11 | OTT 2–5 VAN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-11-08 | OTT 4–6 VAN | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-11-21 | CHI 1–0 VAN | 0G 0A 2S | 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 (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs NYR
- Sun, Oct 4 vs WPG2.3 pts
Vasily Podkolzin
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.5 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex DeBrincat or Vasily Podkolzin 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 Vasily Podkolzin's 1.91. DeBrincat had 85 points in 82 games; Podkolzin had 37 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 Vasily Podkolzin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alex DeBrincat leads in 17 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 Podkolzin done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, DeBrincat's team went 3–4. DeBrincat had 2 points (0 goals) and Podkolzin 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 →