Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Alex Ovechkin vs Nikolaj Ehlers

Alex OvechkinAlex OvechkinCapitals · Left wingvsNikolaj EhlersNikolaj EhlersHurricanes · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex Ovechkin projects to 1.84 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65.

Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Ehlers had 71 in 82 games.

This week Ovechkin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Ehlers has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Ovechkin for 1.9 ESPN points to Ehlers's 1.8.

Nikolaj Ehlers has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Ovechkin's biggest edges: Hits 134, On-ice PDO 1030, Penalty minutes 26.

Ehlers's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 182, Goals above expected +2.6, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.024.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alex Ovechkin

1.84

fantasy points per game

Nikolaj Ehlers

1.65

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Alex Ovechkin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromOvechkinEhlers
Goals (+2)0.730.56
Assists (+1)0.430.48
Power-play points (+0.5)0.110.15
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.290.26
Hits (+0.1)0.160.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.120.16

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 Nikolaj Ehlers 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.

OvechkinEhlers

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 @ CAR
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B1.9 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.3 win%Likely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)

Nikolaj Ehlers

3games (1 left)

1.8proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to LWLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
    Likely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.8 pts
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −12.8 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alex Ovechkin or Nikolaj Ehlers in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex Ovechkin projects to 1.84 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65. Ovechkin had 64 points in 82 games; Ehlers had 71 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 Ovechkin or Nikolaj Ehlers?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nikolaj Ehlers leads in 22 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 →