Who to start · 2025-26
Bryan Rust vs Dylan Strome
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bryan Rust projects to 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Dylan Strome's 1.72.
Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Strome had 58 in 80 games.
This week Rust has 1 game left; Strome has 1 left. We project Rust for 2.3 ESPN points to Strome's 1.6.
Bryan Rust has the better number in 20 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rust's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 124, Goals above expected +1.5, Luck Meter +32.
Strome's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 777, Penalty minutes 46, Expected goals 48.7%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Dylan Strome
1.62
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Bryan Rust has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rust | Strome |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.49 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.13 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.49 | 0.33 |
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: Rust vs Strome
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.
Rust 9G 7A, 43 SOG · Strome 3G 5A, 29 SOG
Rust's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Rust's defensive zone 0–1 (2018-19)
On the ice against each other (Rust's side)
5:56 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Rust's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–8
- 42.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.6
- 39.5%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rust | Strome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-12 | PIT 0–3 WSH | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-06 | PIT 5–3 WSH | 1G 2A 5S | 1G 2A 5S |
| 2025-04-17 | PIT 5–2 WSH | 2G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-18 | PIT 1–4 WSH | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-11-08 | PIT 4–2 WSH | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-04 | PIT 4–1 WSH | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-01-02 | PIT 3–4 WSH | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2023-10-13 | PIT 4–0 WSH | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-03-25 | PIT 4–3 WSH | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 6S |
| 2023-01-26 | PIT 2–3 WSH | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-09 | PIT 4–1 WSH | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-11-09 | PIT 2–3 CHI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
Latest 12 of 17 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.
Bryan Rust
2games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.3 pts
Dylan Strome
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ CAR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TBLB2B1.6 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bryan Rust or Dylan Strome in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bryan Rust projects to 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Dylan Strome's 1.72. Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Strome had 58 in 80 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, Bryan Rust or Dylan Strome?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Bryan Rust leads in 20 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Rust and Strome done against each other?
- In 17 games against each other in our data, Rust's team went 10–7. Rust had 16 points (9 goals) and Strome had 8 (3 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Rust or Strome?
- Against each other, Rust has won 0 and Strome 1 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 →