Who to start · 2025-26
Alex DeBrincat vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex DeBrincat projects to 2.20 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94.
DeBrincat had 85 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week DeBrincat has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left. We project DeBrincat for 1.9 ESPN points to Smith's 1.6.
Alex DeBrincat has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrincat's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.060, Blocked shots 39, Fenwick 53.8%.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, Offensive-zone start % 68.9%, Goals above expected +2.0.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex DeBrincat
2.20
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Alex DeBrincat has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrincat | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.94 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.33 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.08 |
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 Smith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
DeBrincat 2G 1A, 15 SOG · Smith 1G 2A, 7 SOG
On the ice against each other (DeBrincat's side)
11:17 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from DeBrincat's side
- Shot attempts
- 14–6
- 70.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.6–1.1
- 36.5%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrincat | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-16 | DET 4–2 SJS | 1G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-11-02 | DET 3–2 SJS | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-14 | DET 3–6 SJS | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-11-18 | DET 4–5 SJS | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
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)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs NYRSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 vs WPG1.9 pts
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.6 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex DeBrincat or Will Smith 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 Will Smith's 1.94. DeBrincat had 85 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alex DeBrincat leads in 24 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 Smith done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, DeBrincat's team went 2–2. DeBrincat had 3 points (2 goals) and Smith had 3 (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 →