Who to start · 2025-26
Bryan Rust vs Jake Guentzel
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bryan Rust projects to 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake Guentzel's 2.21.
Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Guentzel had 88 in 81 games.
This week Rust has 1 game left; Guentzel has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Rust for 2.2 ESPN points to Guentzel's 1.5.
Jake Guentzel has the better number in 25 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rust's biggest edges: Hardest shot 88.4, Top skating speed 22.8, Blocked shots 71.
Guentzel's biggest edges: Expected goals 55.2%, Faceoffs won 209, Sequence xG 54.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Jake Guentzel
2.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jake Guentzel has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rust | Guentzel |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.94 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.62 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.19 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.49 | 0.25 |
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 Guentzel
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 2G 2A, 17 SOG · Guentzel 0G 6A, 29 SOG
Rust blocked 2 of Guentzel's shots; Guentzel blocked 1 of Rust's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (Rust's side)
5:41 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Rust's side
- Shot attempts
- 2–9
- 18.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.3
- 28.2%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rust | Guentzel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-02 | PIT 3–6 TBL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 2A 7S |
| 2026-01-13 | PIT 1–2 TBL | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-12-04 | PIT 4–3 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-03-25 | PIT 1–6 TBL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-12 | PIT 2–5 TBL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 2A 4S |
| 2024-11-19 | PIT 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-03-26 | PIT 4–1 CAR | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 6S |
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)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 5th-most FP to RW
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.2 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to RW
Jake Guentzel
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bryan Rust or Jake Guentzel 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 Jake Guentzel's 2.21. Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Guentzel had 88 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, Bryan Rust or Jake Guentzel?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Jake Guentzel leads in 25 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 Guentzel done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Rust's team went 2–5. Rust had 4 points (2 goals) and Guentzel had 6 (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 →