Who to start · 2025-26
Alex Ovechkin vs Matthew Knies
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Knies projects to 2.06 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alex Ovechkin's 1.84.
Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Knies had 66 in 79 games.
This week Ovechkin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Knies has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Ovechkin for 1.9 ESPN points to Knies's 1.4.
Alex Ovechkin has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Ovechkin's biggest edges: Corsi 50.1%, Expected goals 49.8%, Sequence xG 49.8%.
Knies's biggest edges: Ascension score 56, 20+ mph bursts 97, Goals above expected +0.3.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex Ovechkin
1.84
fantasy points per game
Matthew Knies
2.06
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Knies has the edge.
| Points per game from | Ovechkin | Knies |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.73 | 0.80 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.43 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.19 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.18 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.19 |
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 Knies
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Ovechkin 4G 2A, 38 SOG · Knies 1G 3A, 9 SOG
Ovechkin blocked 0 of Knies's shots; Knies blocked 1 of Ovechkin's.
On the ice against each other (Ovechkin's side)
5:38 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Ovechkin's side
- Shot attempts
- 1–5
- 16.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.7
- 0.0%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Ovechkin | Knies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-08 | WSH 4–0 TOR | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-18 | WSH 4–0 TOR | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-28 | WSH 4–2 TOR | 0G 1A 6S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2024-12-28 | WSH 5–2 TOR | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-11-13 | WSH 3–4 TOR | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-03-28 | WSH 1–5 TOR | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-03-20 | WSH 3–7 TOR | 2G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2023-10-24 | WSH 1–4 TOR | 1G 0A 14S | 0G 0A 0S |
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)
Matthew Knies
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 10th-most FP to LWLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.4 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex Ovechkin or Matthew Knies in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Knies projects to 2.06 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alex Ovechkin's 1.84. Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Knies had 66 in 79 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 Matthew Knies?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alex Ovechkin 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 Knies done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Ovechkin's team went 4–4. Ovechkin had 6 points (4 goals) and Knies had 4 (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 →