Who to start · 2025-26
Brent Burns vs Martin Necas
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Martin Necas projects to 2.40 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brent Burns's 1.38.
Burns had 35 points in 82 games; Necas had 100 in 78 games.
This week Burns has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Necas has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Necas for 1.7 ESPN points to Burns's 0.9.
Martin Necas has the better number in 25 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Burns's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Forecheck xG /60 0.38, Ascension score 47.
Necas's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 69.2%, Hits 85, 20+ mph bursts 348.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brent Burns
1.38
fantasy points per game
Martin Necas
2.40
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Martin Necas has the edge.
| Points per game from | Burns | Necas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.27 | 0.91 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.33 | 0.81 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.55 | 0.16 |
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: Burns vs Necas
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2019-20 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Burns 0G 2A, 4 SOG · Necas 0G 0A, 5 SOG
Burns blocked 0 of Necas's shots; Necas blocked 8 of Burns's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
306:38 at 5-on-5 over 91 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 380–320
- 54.3%
- Expected goals
- 17.7–16.3
- 52.0%
- Goals
- 26–12
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Burns | Necas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-30 | SJS 1–2 CAR | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2021-11-22 | SJS 2–1 CAR | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-10-16 | SJS 5–2 CAR | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
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.
Brent Burns
2games (1 left)
0.9proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to D
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL0.9 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Martin Necas
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.7 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brent Burns or Martin Necas in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Martin Necas projects to 2.40 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brent Burns's 1.38. Burns had 35 points in 82 games; Necas had 100 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, Brent Burns or Martin Necas?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Martin Necas 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 Burns and Necas done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Burns's team went 2–1. Burns had 2 points (0 goals) and Necas had 0 (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 →