Who to start · 2025-26
Aliaksei Protas vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Aliaksei Protas's 1.58.
Protas had 52 points in 76 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week Protas has 1 game left; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 4.1 ESPN points to Protas's 1.6.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 25 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Protas's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.46, Forecheck xG /60 0.43, Hits 33.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052, Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Power-play share 68.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Aliaksei Protas
1.58
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Protas | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.62 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.40 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.29 | 0.30 |
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: Protas vs Schmaltz
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Protas 1G 0A, 9 SOG · Schmaltz 3G 3A, 12 SOG
Protas's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Protas's defensive zone 1–0 (2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Protas's side)
7:31 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Protas's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–8
- 52.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.5
- 33.3%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Protas | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-26 | WSH 7–4 UTA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-02-09 | WSH 4–5 UTA | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-11-18 | WSH 6–2 UTA | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-03-03 | WSH 2–5 ARI | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2023-12-04 | WSH 0–6 ARI | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 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.
Aliaksei Protas
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ CAR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B1.6 pts
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
4.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ2.0 pts
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Aliaksei Protas or Nick Schmaltz in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Aliaksei Protas's 1.58. Protas had 52 points in 76 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 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, Aliaksei Protas or Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 25 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Protas and Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Protas's team went 2–3. Protas had 1 points (1 goals) and Schmaltz had 6 (3 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Protas or Schmaltz?
- Against each other, Protas has won 1 and Schmaltz 0 of their 1 head-to-head draws.
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 →