Who to start · 2025-26
Alex Ovechkin vs Cutter Gauthier
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cutter Gauthier projects to 2.18 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alex Ovechkin's 1.84.
Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Gauthier had 69 in 76 games.
This week Ovechkin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Gauthier has 1 left. We project Ovechkin for 1.9 ESPN points to Gauthier's 1.7.
Cutter Gauthier has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Ovechkin's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1030, Hits 134, Offensive-zone start % 98.1%.
Gauthier's biggest edges: Goals above expected +5.8, 20+ mph bursts 205, Ascension score 63.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex Ovechkin
1.84
fantasy points per game
Cutter Gauthier
2.18
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Cutter Gauthier has the edge.
| Points per game from | Ovechkin | Gauthier |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.73 | 1.01 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.43 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.38 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.10 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.15 |
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: Ovechkin vs Gauthier
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.
Ovechkin 2G 3A, 14 SOG · Gauthier 1G 2A, 10 SOG
On the ice against each other (Ovechkin's side)
9:15 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Ovechkin's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–12
- 42.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.5
- 42.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Ovechkin | Gauthier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-05 | WSH 7–4 ANA | 2G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-12-05 | WSH 3–4 ANA | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-03-11 | WSH 7–4 ANA | 0G 3A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-01-14 | WSH 3–0 ANA | 0G 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 Ovechkin
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ CAROpp allows 9th-most FP to LWLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.3 win%vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
Cutter Gauthier
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ VGKOpp allows 14th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs FLA1.7 ptsOpp allows 13th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex Ovechkin or Cutter Gauthier in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cutter Gauthier projects to 2.18 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alex Ovechkin's 1.84. Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Gauthier had 69 in 76 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 Ovechkin or Cutter Gauthier?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Cutter Gauthier leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Ovechkin and Gauthier done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Ovechkin's team went 3–1. Ovechkin had 5 points (2 goals) and Gauthier 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 →

