Who to start · 2025-26
Brock Nelson vs Emil Heineman
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Emil Heineman's 1.57.
Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; Heineman had 31 in 82 games.
This week Nelson has 1 game left; Heineman has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Nelson for 1.6 ESPN points to Heineman's 1.2.
Brock Nelson has the better number in 27 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Nelson's biggest edges: High-danger chances 57.1%, Plus/minus +15, Expected goals 60.0%.
Heineman's biggest edges: Hits 247, Hardest shot 97.3, Top skating speed 23.5.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brock Nelson
2.23
fantasy points per game
Emil Heineman
1.57
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Brock Nelson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nelson | Heineman |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.89 | 0.63 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.10 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.02 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.30 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 0.31 |
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: Nelson vs Heineman
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Nelson 2G 3A, 14 SOG · Heineman 1G 0A, 6 SOG
On the ice against each other (Nelson's side)
5:22 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Nelson's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–6
- 60.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–0.2
- 83.6%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nelson | Heineman |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-04 | COL 3–6 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-11-16 | COL 4–1 NYI | 1G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-22 | COL 5–4 MTL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-12-03 | NYI 1–2 MTL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-10-19 | NYI 4–3 MTL | 0G 0A 4S | 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.
Brock Nelson
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.6 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Emil Heineman
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 11th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.2 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brock Nelson or Emil Heineman in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Emil Heineman's 1.57. Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; Heineman had 31 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, Brock Nelson or Emil Heineman?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brock Nelson leads in 27 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nelson and Heineman done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Nelson's team went 3–2. Nelson had 5 points (2 goals) and Heineman had 1 (1 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 →