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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Jared Spurgeon

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsJared SpurgeonJared SpurgeonWild · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jared Spurgeon projects to 1.55 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Spurgeon had 22 in 79 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Spurgeon has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Spurgeon's 1.1.

Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 25 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 67.9%, Forecheck xG /60 0.42, Corsi 58.4%.

Spurgeon's biggest edges: Blocked shots 137, Net penalties drawn /60 0.00, Ice time per game 19:36.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Jared Spurgeon

1.48

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Alexander Nikishin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinSpurgeon
Goals (+2)0.270.15
Assists (+1)0.270.20
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.04
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.11
Hits (+0.1)0.160.10
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.87

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 Spurgeon

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.

NikishinSpurgeon
1Team record in 2 meetings1
1Points in those games1

Nikishin 0G 1A, 2 SOG · Spurgeon 0G 1A, 1 SOG

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

11:50 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
13–7
65.0%
Expected goals
0.6–0.2
69.5%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Jared Spurgeon
DateScoreNikishinSpurgeon
2025-11-19CAR 3–4 MIN0G 0A 0S0G 0A 0S
2025-11-06CAR 4–3 MIN0G 1A 2S0G 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.

NikishinSpurgeon

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)

Jared Spurgeon

2games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
    Opp allows 14th-most FP to DLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.1 pts
    Opp allows 8th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Jared Spurgeon in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jared Spurgeon projects to 1.55 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Spurgeon had 22 in 79 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 Jared Spurgeon?
On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 25 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 Spurgeon done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 1–1. Nikishin had 1 points (0 goals) and Spurgeon had 1 (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 →