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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Ryan O'Reilly

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsRyan O'ReillyRyan O'ReillyPredators · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ryan O'Reilly projects to 1.90 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; O'Reilly had 74 in 81 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; O'Reilly has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project O'Reilly for 2.0 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.

Ryan O'Reilly has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, Offensive-zone start % 67.9%, Hardest shot 99.4.

O'Reilly's biggest edges: Ice-time share 33.5%, Ice time per game 20:24, Blocked shots 66.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Ryan O'Reilly

1.98

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Ryan O'Reilly has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinO'Reilly
Goals (+2)0.270.62
Assists (+1)0.270.60
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.02
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.19
Hits (+0.1)0.160.02
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.41

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 O'Reilly

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.

NikishinO'Reilly
2Team record in 2 meetings0
1Points in those games1

Nikishin 0G 1A, 5 SOG · O'Reilly 0G 1A, 7 SOG

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

6:12 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side

Shot attempts
3–9
25.0%
Expected goals
0.3–0.1
67.5%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Alexander Nikishin and Ryan O'Reilly
DateScoreNikishinO'Reilly
2025-12-17CAR 4–1 NSH0G 1A 3S0G 1A 4S
2025-12-06CAR 6–3 NSH0G 0A 2S0G 0A 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.

NikishinO'Reilly

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)

Ryan O'Reilly

2games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs MIN
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL2.0 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to CSchedule edge +13.0 win%Likely vs Casey DeSmith (.907)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Ryan O'Reilly in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ryan O'Reilly projects to 1.90 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; O'Reilly had 74 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 Ryan O'Reilly?
On 2025-26 numbers, Ryan O'Reilly leads in 18 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 O'Reilly done against each other?
In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 2–0. Nikishin had 1 points (0 goals) and O'Reilly 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 →