Who to start · 2025-26
Alex Tuch vs Bryan Rust
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex Tuch projects to 2.42 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bryan Rust's 2.28.
Tuch had 66 points in 79 games; Rust had 65 in 72 games.
This week Tuch has 1 game left; Rust has 1 left. We project Tuch for 2.3 ESPN points to Rust's 2.3.
Alex Tuch has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Tuch's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.44, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.007, Expected goals 52.1%.
Rust's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 44.6%, Power-play share 74.5%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.04.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex Tuch
2.26
fantasy points per game
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Bryan Rust has the edge.
| Points per game from | Tuch | Rust |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.84 | 0.81 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.42 | 0.50 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.06 | 0.17 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.57 | 0.49 |
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: Tuch vs Rust
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Tuch 4G 7A, 40 SOG · Rust 4G 7A, 39 SOG
On the ice against each other (Tuch's side)
15:24 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Tuch's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–11
- 45.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.3
- 64.2%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Tuch | Rust |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-05 | BUF 5–1 PIT | 1G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2026-02-05 | BUF 2–5 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-26 | BUF 2–4 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-27 | BUF 7–3 PIT | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-01-17 | BUF 2–5 PIT | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2024-10-16 | BUF 5–6 PIT | 0G 2A 5S | 1G 1A 6S |
| 2024-01-06 | BUF 3–1 PIT | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2022-12-10 | BUF 1–3 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-12-09 | BUF 3–4 PIT | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-11-02 | BUF 6–3 PIT | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-03-23 | BUF 4–3 PIT | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 2A 4S |
| 2020-01-07 | VGK 3–4 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
Latest 12 of 15 meetings.
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 Tuch
2games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ CAR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B2.3 pts
Bryan Rust
2games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.3 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex Tuch or Bryan Rust in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alex Tuch projects to 2.42 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bryan Rust's 2.28. Tuch had 66 points in 79 games; Rust had 65 in 72 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 Tuch or Bryan Rust?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alex Tuch leads in 22 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Tuch and Rust done against each other?
- In 15 games against each other in our data, Tuch's team went 7–8. Tuch had 11 points (4 goals) and Rust had 11 (4 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 →