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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Artemi Panarin

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Artemi Panarin projects to 2.00 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Panarin had 84 in 78 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Panarin has 1 left. We project Panarin for 2.0 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.

Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 19 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Hits 132, Forecheck xG /60 0.42.

Panarin's biggest edges: Ice-time share 34.2%, Ice time per game 20:51, Assists 56.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Artemi Panarin

1.99

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Artemi Panarin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinPanarin
Goals (+2)0.270.72
Assists (+1)0.270.72
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.15
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.29
Hits (+0.1)0.160.01
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.10

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: Nikishin vs Panarin

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

NikishinPanarin
2Team record in 3 meetings1
1Points in those games3

Nikishin 0G 1A, 2 SOG · Panarin 1G 2A, 4 SOG

On the ice against each other (Nikishin's side)

14:49 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
16–6
72.7%
Expected goals
0.9–0.3
76.2%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Artemi Panarin
DateScoreNikishinPanarin
2025-12-29CAR 3–2 NYR0G 1A 0S0G 1A 1S
2025-11-26CAR 2–4 NYR0G 0A 2S1G 1A 1S
2025-11-04CAR 3–0 NYR0G 0A 0S0G 0A 2S

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

NikishinPanarin

Fantasy box score

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.

Alexander Nikishin

3games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −8.7 win%vs Joseph Woll (.899)

Artemi Panarin

2games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ COL
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to LWLikely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ SJS2.0 pts
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −3.2 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Artemi Panarin in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Artemi Panarin projects to 2.00 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Panarin had 84 in 78 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, Alexander Nikishin or Artemi Panarin?
On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 19 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Nikishin and Panarin done against each other?
In 3 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 2–1. Nikishin had 1 points (0 goals) and Panarin 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 →