Who to start · 2025-26
Alex Ovechkin vs Nikita Kucherov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alex Ovechkin's 1.84.
Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Ovechkin has 1 game left; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Ovechkin's 1.6.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Ovechkin's biggest edges: Hits 134, Offensive-zone start % 98.1%, Hardest shot 97.3.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Goals above expected +3.9, 20+ mph bursts 138, Luck Meter +54.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex Ovechkin
1.84
fantasy points per game
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Ovechkin | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.73 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.43 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.21 |
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
Alex Ovechkin and Nikita Kucherov have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).
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)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ CAR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B1.6 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex Ovechkin or Nikita Kucherov in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alex Ovechkin's 1.84. Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 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 Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 26 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
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 →