Who to start · 2025-26
Alexander Nikishin vs Bryan Rust
In 2025-26, Bryan Rust scored 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.
Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Rust had 65 in 72 games.
This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Rust has 1 left. We project Rust for 2.2 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.
Bryan Rust has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Nikishin's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Hits 132, Expected goals 54.1%.
Rust's biggest edges: Ice-time share 32.7%, Ice time per game 19:57, Blocked shots 71.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alexander Nikishin
1.50
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 | Nikishin | Rust |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.27 | 0.81 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.50 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.06 | 0.17 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.58 | 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: Nikishin vs Rust
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.
Nikishin 1G 2A, 6 SOG · Rust 3G 4A, 13 SOG
Nikishin blocked 0 of Rust's shots; Rust blocked 1 of Nikishin's.
On the ice against each other (Nikishin's side)
3:46 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–5
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.2
- 53.4%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nikishin | Rust |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-22 | CAR 5–1 PIT | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2026-03-18 | CAR 6–5 PIT | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2026-03-10 | CAR 5–4 PIT | 1G 1A 2S | 2G 1A 3S |
| 2025-12-30 | CAR 1–5 PIT | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 1S |
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.
Alexander Nikishin
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSHOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −8.7 win%vs Joseph Woll (.899)
Bryan Rust
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 5th-most FP to RWLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.2 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to RWLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Bryan Rust in fantasy hockey?
- In 2025-26, Bryan Rust scored 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 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, Alexander Nikishin or Bryan Rust?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Bryan Rust leads in 17 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 Rust done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 3–1. Nikishin had 3 points (1 goals) and Rust had 7 (3 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 →