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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Elias Pettersson

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsElias PetterssonElias PetterssonCanucks · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Elias Pettersson projects to 2.34 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Pettersson had 51 in 74 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Pettersson has 2 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Pettersson for 3.8 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.

They split the 33 stats both are ranked on 16–16.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Plus/minus +18, Corsi 58.4%, Goals above expected +2.7.

Pettersson's biggest edges: Ice-time share 31.1%, Ice time per game 18:58, Blocked shots 108.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Elias Pettersson

2.05

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Elias Pettersson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinPettersson
Goals (+2)0.270.41
Assists (+1)0.270.49
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.15
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.18
Hits (+0.1)0.160.09
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.73

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 Pettersson

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.

NikishinPettersson
2Team record in 2 meetings0
0Points in those games4

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

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

4:20 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
2–2
50.0%
Expected goals
0.0–0.0
26.2%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Elias Pettersson
DateScoreNikishinPettersson
2026-03-04CAR 6–4 VAN0G 0A 0S0G 2A 2S
2025-11-14CAR 4–3 VAN0G 0A 3S1G 1A 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.

NikishinPettersson

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 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)

Elias Pettersson

4games (2 left)

3.8proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ EDM
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs EDM
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Devon Levi (.682)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY2.3 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to CSchedule edge −3.4 win%Likely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B1.5 pts
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Carter Hart (.891)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Elias Pettersson in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Elias Pettersson projects to 2.34 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Pettersson had 51 in 74 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 Elias Pettersson?
On 2025-26 numbers they split 16–16 across 33 stats where both qualify.
How have Nikishin and Pettersson done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 2–0. Nikishin had 0 points (0 goals) and Pettersson had 4 (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 →