Who to start · 2025-26
Brock Nelson vs Ryan O'Reilly
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan O'Reilly's 1.90.
Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; O'Reilly had 74 in 81 games.
This week Nelson has 1 game left; O'Reilly has 1 left. We project O'Reilly for 1.7 ESPN points to Nelson's 1.6.
Brock Nelson has the better number in 22 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Nelson's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 150, Expected goals 60.0%, Fenwick 57.3%.
O'Reilly's biggest edges: Luck Meter +50, Faceoff win % 55.1%, Draw Equity /100 +0.056.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brock Nelson
2.23
fantasy points per game
Ryan O'Reilly
1.90
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Brock Nelson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nelson | O'Reilly |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.89 | 0.58 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 0.38 |
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
Brock Nelson and Ryan O'Reilly have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).
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 +9.3 win%Likely vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Ryan O'Reilly
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs MINOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL1.7 ptsSchedule edge +12.4 win%Likely vs Casey DeSmith (.907)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brock Nelson or Ryan O'Reilly 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 Ryan O'Reilly's 1.90. Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; O'Reilly had 74 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 Ryan O'Reilly?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brock Nelson leads in 22 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
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 →

