Who to start · 2025-26
Alexander Nikishin vs Parker Kelly
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Parker Kelly projects to 1.51 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.
Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Kelly had 35 in 82 games.
This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Kelly has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Kelly's 0.9.
Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 16 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Nikishin's biggest edges: Power-play share 38.9%, Offensive-zone start % 67.9%, Power-play time per game 1:26.
Kelly's biggest edges: Blocked shots 58, Luck Meter +72, High-danger chances 58.5%.
- • 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
Parker Kelly
1.39
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Alexander Nikishin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nikishin | Kelly |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.27 | 0.51 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.17 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.06 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.13 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.22 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.58 | 0.35 |
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 Kelly
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 0A, 2 SOG · Kelly 1G 0A, 2 SOG
Nikishin blocked 1 of Kelly's shots; Kelly blocked 1 of Nikishin's.
On the ice against each other (Nikishin's side)
7:13 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side
- Shot attempts
- 3–8
- 27.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.5
- 12.0%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nikishin | Kelly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | CAR 3–5 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-10-23 | CAR 5–4 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
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 15th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSHOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −8.7 win%vs Joseph Woll (.899)
Parker Kelly
2games (1 left)
0.9proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL0.9 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Parker Kelly in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Parker Kelly projects to 1.51 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Kelly had 35 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 Parker Kelly?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 16 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 Kelly 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 Kelly 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 →