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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Robert Thomas

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsRobert ThomasRobert ThomasBlues · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Thomas has 1 left. We project Thomas for 1.9 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.

Robert Thomas has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, Hardest shot 99.4, Forecheck xG /60 0.42.

Thomas's biggest edges: Ice-time share 31.3%, Ice time per game 19:01, On-ice PDO 1045.

  • • 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

Robert Thomas

2.01

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Robert Thomas has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinThomas
Goals (+2)0.270.78
Assists (+1)0.270.61
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.11
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.02
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.16
Hits (+0.1)0.160.02
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 Thomas

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.

NikishinThomas
0Team record in 1 meetings1
0Points in those games1

Nikishin 0G 0A, 1 SOG · Thomas 0G 1A, 0 SOG

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

1:11 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
1–1
50.0%
Expected goals
0.0–0.0
100.0%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Robert Thomas
DateScoreNikishinThomas
2026-03-12CAR 1–3 STL0G 0A 1S0G 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.

NikishinThomas

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)

Robert Thomas

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DAL
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to CLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.9 pts
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to CSchedule edge −13.4 win%Likely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Robert Thomas in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Thomas had 64 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 Robert Thomas?
On 2025-26 numbers, Robert Thomas 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 Thomas done against each other?
In 1 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 0–1. Nikishin had 0 points (0 goals) and Thomas had 1 (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 →