Who to start · 2025-26
Alexander Nikishin vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.
Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Smith has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Smith for 1.9 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.7.
Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, High-danger chances 53.8%, Faceoffs won 0.
Smith's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.05, Ice-time share 29.9%, Ice time per game 18:11.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alexander Nikishin
1.50
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.68
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Will Smith has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nikishin | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.27 | 0.70 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.51 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.06 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.02 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.58 | 0.09 |
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 Smith
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 1A, 5 SOG · Smith 0G 1A, 6 SOG
On the ice against each other (Nikishin's side)
4:12 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side
- Shot attempts
- 8–5
- 61.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.1
- 85.6%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nikishin | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-07 | CAR 1–4 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-10-14 | CAR 5–1 SJS | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 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.
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)
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 ptsOpp allows the most FP to CSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 17 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 Smith done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 1–1. Nikishin had 1 points (0 goals) and Smith 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 →