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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Eeli Tolvanen

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsEeli TolvanenEeli TolvanenRangers · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Eeli Tolvanen projects to 1.71 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Tolvanen had 36 in 78 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Tolvanen has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Tolvanen's 1.3.

Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Corsi 58.4%, Fenwick 56.9%.

Tolvanen's biggest edges: Blocked shots 81, Transition attempts /60 1.47, Ice-time share 26.4%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Eeli Tolvanen

1.64

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Eeli Tolvanen has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinTolvanen
Goals (+2)0.270.31
Assists (+1)0.270.31
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.09
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.18
Hits (+0.1)0.160.24
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.52

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 Tolvanen

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.

NikishinTolvanen
1Team record in 2 meetings1
0Points in those games0

Nikishin 0G 0A, 1 SOG · Tolvanen 0G 0A, 3 SOG

0Shots blocked by the other1

Nikishin blocked 0 of Tolvanen's shots; Tolvanen blocked 1 of Nikishin's.

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

1:57 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
6–0
100.0%
Expected goals
0.1–0.0
100.0%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Eeli Tolvanen
DateScoreNikishinTolvanen
2026-03-02CAR 1–2 SEA0G 0A 1S0G 0A 2S
2026-01-10CAR 3–2 SEA0G 0A 0S0G 0A 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.

NikishinTolvanen

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.

Alexander Nikishin

3games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to D
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Eeli Tolvanen

4games (1 left)

1.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to RW
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
    Opp allows the most FP to RW
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2B
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.3 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Eeli Tolvanen in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Eeli Tolvanen projects to 1.71 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Tolvanen had 36 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 Eeli Tolvanen?
On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin 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 Nikishin and Tolvanen done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 1–1. Nikishin had 0 points (0 goals) and Tolvanen had 0 (0 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 →