Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Leo Carlsson

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsLeo CarlssonLeo CarlssonDucks · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Leo Carlsson projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Carlsson had 67 in 70 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Carlsson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Carlsson's 1.6.

Leo Carlsson has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, Forecheck xG /60 0.42, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.043.

Carlsson's biggest edges: Ice-time share 31.4%, Ice time per game 19:09, Assists 38.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Leo Carlsson

2.02

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Leo Carlsson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinCarlsson
Goals (+2)0.270.83
Assists (+1)0.270.54
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.13
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.02
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.28
Hits (+0.1)0.160.02
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.21

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 Carlsson

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.

NikishinCarlsson
2Team record in 2 meetings0
2Points in those games1

Nikishin 1G 1A, 5 SOG · Carlsson 1G 0A, 7 SOG

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

3:37 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
2–5
28.6%
Expected goals
0.0–0.2
7.6%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Leo Carlsson
DateScoreNikishinCarlsson
2026-01-08CAR 5–2 ANA0G 1A 3S0G 0A 2S
2025-10-16CAR 4–1 ANA1G 0A 2S1G 0A 5S

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

NikishinCarlsson

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)

Leo Carlsson

2games (1 left)

1.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Fri, Oct 2 @ VGK
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs FLA1.6 pts
    Opp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Leo Carlsson in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Leo Carlsson projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Carlsson had 67 in 70 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 Leo Carlsson?
On 2025-26 numbers, Leo Carlsson 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 Carlsson done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 2–0. Nikishin had 2 points (1 goals) and Carlsson had 1 (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 →