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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Pavel Zacha

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsPavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

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

Nikishin's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.42, Offensive-zone start % 67.9%, High-danger chances 53.8%.

Zacha's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1036, Ice-time share 27.7%, Ice time per game 16:51.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Pavel Zacha

1.78

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Pavel Zacha has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinZacha
Goals (+2)0.270.77
Assists (+1)0.270.45
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.14
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.17
Hits (+0.1)0.160.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.17

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 Zacha

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.

NikishinZacha
2Team record in 3 meetings1
2Points in those games3

Nikishin 1G 1A, 8 SOG · Zacha 1G 2A, 2 SOG

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

10:07 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
17–4
81.0%
Expected goals
0.5–0.3
59.6%
Goals
1–2

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Pavel Zacha
DateScoreNikishinZacha
2026-04-07CAR 6–5 BOS0G 1A 3S1G 1A 2S
2025-11-17CAR 3–1 BOS0G 0A 1S0G 0A 0S
2025-11-01CAR 1–2 BOS1G 0A 4S0G 1A 0S

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

NikishinZacha

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 −8.7 win%vs Joseph Woll (.899)

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 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 Zacha?
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 Zacha done against each other?
In 3 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 2–1. Nikishin had 2 points (1 goals) and Zacha had 3 (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 →