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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Mikko Rantanen

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsMikko RantanenMikko RantanenStars · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 games.

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

Mikko Rantanen has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.8, Corsi 58.4%, Fenwick 56.9%.

Rantanen's biggest edges: Ice-time share 33.1%, Ice time per game 20:11, Penalty minutes 93.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Mikko Rantanen

2.34

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mikko Rantanen has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinRantanen
Goals (+2)0.270.69
Assists (+1)0.270.86
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.27
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.22
Hits (+0.1)0.160.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.23

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 Rantanen

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.

NikishinRantanen
1Team record in 2 meetings1
0Points in those games4

Nikishin 0G 0A, 2 SOG · Rantanen 1G 3A, 4 SOG

0Shots blocked by the other1

Nikishin blocked 0 of Rantanen's shots; Rantanen blocked 1 of Nikishin's.

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

6:20 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
13–5
72.2%
Expected goals
0.2–0.0
85.0%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Mikko Rantanen
DateScoreNikishinRantanen
2026-01-06CAR 6–3 DAL0G 0A 1S1G 1A 3S
2025-10-25CAR 2–3 DAL0G 0A 1S0G 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.

NikishinRantanen

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 13th-most FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
    Likely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.8 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)

Mikko Rantanen

2games (1 left)

1.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Fri, Oct 2 vs STL
    Likely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.6 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Mikko Rantanen in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 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 Mikko Rantanen?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mikko Rantanen 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 Rantanen done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 1–1. Nikishin had 0 points (0 goals) and Rantanen 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 →