Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Pavel Buchnevich

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsPavel BuchnevichPavel BuchnevichBlues · 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 Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 games.

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

Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, Plus/minus +18, Goals above expected +2.8.

Buchnevich's biggest edges: Ice-time share 29.5%, Ice time per game 17:56, Blocked shots 40.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Pavel Buchnevich

1.39

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Alexander Nikishin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinBuchnevich
Goals (+2)0.270.49
Assists (+1)0.270.35
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.09
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.18
Hits (+0.1)0.160.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.25

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 Buchnevich

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.

NikishinBuchnevich
0Team record in 2 meetings2
0Points in those games1

Nikishin 0G 0A, 1 SOG · Buchnevich 1G 0A, 4 SOG

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

10:07 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
8–9
47.1%
Expected goals
0.1–0.4
22.4%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Pavel Buchnevich
DateScoreNikishinBuchnevich
2026-03-12CAR 1–3 STL0G 0A 1S1G 0A 3S
2026-01-13CAR 0–3 STL0G 0A 0S0G 0A 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.

NikishinBuchnevich

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)

Pavel Buchnevich

2games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DAL
    Likely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.5 pts
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.4 win%Likely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Pavel Buchnevich 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 Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 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 Pavel Buchnevich?
On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 22 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 Buchnevich done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 0–2. Nikishin had 0 points (0 goals) and Buchnevich 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 →