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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Noah Cates

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsNoah CatesNoah CatesFlyers · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alexander Nikishin projects to 1.50 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Cates has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.

Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 19 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Hardest shot 99.4, 20+ mph bursts 65, Corsi 58.4%.

Cates's biggest edges: Blocked shots 51, Penalty minutes 44, On-ice PDO 1026.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Noah Cates

1.45

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Alexander Nikishin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinCates
Goals (+2)0.270.44
Assists (+1)0.270.35
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.05
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.16
Hits (+0.1)0.160.12
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.31

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 Cates

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.

NikishinCates
3Team record in 4 meetings1
3Points in those games2

Nikishin 1G 2A, 5 SOG · Cates 0G 2A, 8 SOG

1Hits on each other0

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

21:05 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
22–19
53.7%
Expected goals
1.4–1.9
43.7%
Goals
2–2

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Noah Cates
DateScoreNikishinCates
2026-04-13CAR 2–3 PHI0G 0A 0S0G 1A 3S
2025-12-14CAR 3–2 PHI0G 1A 2S0G 0A 1S
2025-12-13CAR 4–3 PHI1G 0A 1S0G 0A 1S
2025-10-11CAR 4–3 PHI0G 1A 2S0G 1A 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.

NikishinCates

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 −12.8 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)

Noah Cates

3games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
    Opp allows the fewest FP to LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +12.9 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alexander Nikishin projects to 1.50 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Cates had 47 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 Noah Cates?
On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 19 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 Cates 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 Cates had 2 (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 →