Who to start · 2025-26
Alexander Nikishin vs Matthew Schaefer
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.
Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.
This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.
Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Nikishin's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.42, Hits 132, Corsi 58.4%.
Schaefer's biggest edges: Ice-time share 40.6%, Ice time per game 24:41, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alexander Nikishin
1.50
fantasy points per game
Matthew Schaefer
2.11
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nikishin | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.27 | 0.56 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.44 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.06 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.58 | 0.68 |
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 Schaefer
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.
Nikishin 0G 2A, 3 SOG · Schaefer 1G 1A, 9 SOG
Nikishin blocked 1 of Schaefer's shots; Schaefer blocked 0 of Nikishin's.
On the ice against each other (Nikishin's side)
11:30 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side
- Shot attempts
- 19–13
- 59.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.6–0.8
- 44.8%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nikishin | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-14 | CAR 2–1 NYI | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2026-04-04 | CAR 4–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-10-30 | CAR 6–2 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 3S |
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
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 FLAOpp allows 13th-most FP to D
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to D
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 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 Matthew Schaefer?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer leads in 18 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 Schaefer done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 3–0. Nikishin had 2 points (0 goals) and Schaefer had 2 (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 →