Who to start · 2025-26
Brock Nelson vs Mitch Marner
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mitch Marner's 1.88.
Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; Marner had 80 in 81 games.
This week Nelson has 1 game left; Marner has 1 left. We project Nelson for 2.0 ESPN points to Marner's 2.0.
Brock Nelson has the better number in 18 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Nelson's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 150, Forecheck xG /60 0.42, Faceoff win % 50.4%.
Marner's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 66.6%, Luck Meter +3, Power-play share 80.1%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brock Nelson
2.23
fantasy points per game
Mitch Marner
1.88
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Brock Nelson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nelson | Marner |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.89 | 0.52 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.67 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 0.28 |
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 Marner
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Nelson 4G 11A, 49 SOG · Marner 12G 17A, 64 SOG
Nelson's offensive zone 1–0 · neutral 1–0 · Nelson's defensive zone 0–1 (2025-26)
Nelson blocked 0 of Marner's shots; Marner blocked 2 of Nelson's.
On the ice against each other (Nelson's side)
32:22 at 5-on-5 over 7 games, 2025-26, from Nelson's side
- Shot attempts
- 43–26
- 62.3%
- Expected goals
- 1.6–1.1
- 59.3%
- Goals
- 1–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nelson | Marner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-26 · PO | COL 1–2 VGK | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-05-24 · PO | COL 3–5 VGK | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2026-05-22 · PO | COL 1–3 VGK | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2026-05-20 · PO | COL 2–4 VGK | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2026-04-11 | COL 2–3 VGK | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-12-27 | COL 6–5 VGK | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-10-31 | COL 4–2 VGK | 1G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2025-03-19 | COL 1–2 TOR | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-03-08 | COL 7–4 TOR | 0G 1A 0S | 2G 0A 4S |
| 2025-01-02 | NYI 1–2 TOR | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-31 | NYI 1–3 TOR | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-12-21 | NYI 6–3 TOR | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 3S |
Latest 12 of 28 meetings.
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)
2.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.0 pts
Mitch Marner
3games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN2.0 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brock Nelson or Mitch Marner 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 Mitch Marner's 1.88. Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; Marner had 80 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, Brock Nelson or Mitch Marner?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brock Nelson leads in 18 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nelson and Marner done against each other?
- In 28 games against each other in our data, Nelson's team went 11–17. Nelson had 15 points (4 goals) and Marner had 29 (12 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Nelson or Marner?
- Against each other, Nelson has won 2 and Marner 1 of their 3 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 →