Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Erik Karlsson

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsErik KarlssonErik KarlssonPenguins · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Karlsson had 66 in 75 games.

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

Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.043, Blocked shots 94.

Karlsson's biggest edges: Ice-time share 38.7%, Ice time per game 23:36, Top skating speed 23.7.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Erik Karlsson

1.94

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Erik Karlsson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinKarlsson
Goals (+2)0.270.40
Assists (+1)0.270.68
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.17
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.23
Hits (+0.1)0.160.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.43

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 Karlsson

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.

NikishinKarlsson
3Team record in 4 meetings1
3Points in those games7

Nikishin 1G 2A, 6 SOG · Karlsson 2G 5A, 9 SOG

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

17:16 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
15–24
38.5%
Expected goals
0.7–1.2
36.7%
Goals
0–2

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Erik Karlsson
DateScoreNikishinKarlsson
2026-03-22CAR 5–1 PIT0G 1A 1S0G 0A 2S
2026-03-18CAR 6–5 PIT0G 0A 3S2G 1A 4S
2026-03-10CAR 5–4 PIT1G 1A 2S0G 2A 2S
2025-12-30CAR 1–5 PIT0G 0A 0S0G 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.

NikishinKarlsson

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)

Erik Karlsson

2games (1 left)

1.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to DLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.3 pts
    Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to Dvs Jakub Dobes (.901)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Erik Karlsson in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Erik Karlsson projects to 1.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Karlsson had 66 in 75 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 Erik Karlsson?
On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin 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 Karlsson 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 Karlsson had 7 (2 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 →