Who to start · 2025-26
Bryan Rust vs Kyle Connor
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bryan Rust's 2.28.
Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Connor had 92 in 82 games.
This week Rust has 1 game left; Connor has 1 left. We project Connor for 2.4 ESPN points to Rust's 2.2.
Kyle Connor has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rust's biggest edges: Blocked shots 71, Forecheck xG /60 0.32, Top skating speed 22.8.
Connor's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.09, Scoring chances 52.1%, Sequence xG 49.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Kyle Connor
2.22
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Bryan Rust has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rust | Connor |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.95 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.33 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.49 | 0.12 |
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 Connor
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 3G 4A, 29 SOG · Connor 5G 4A, 57 SOG
On the ice against each other (Rust's side)
11:44 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Rust's side
- Shot attempts
- 13–12
- 52.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.7
- 55.1%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rust | Connor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-21 | PIT 5–4 WPG | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-11-01 | PIT 2–5 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 8S |
| 2024-11-22 | PIT 1–4 WPG | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2024-10-20 | PIT 3–6 WPG | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2024-02-10 | PIT 1–2 WPG | 1G 0A 7S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-02-06 | PIT 3–0 WPG | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2023-01-13 | PIT 1–4 WPG | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2022-11-19 | PIT 3–0 WPG | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2022-01-23 | PIT 3–2 WPG | 0G 0A 5S | 1G 0A 7S |
| 2021-11-22 | PIT 3–1 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2019-01-04 | PIT 4–0 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2018-11-27 | PIT 4–3 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
Latest 12 of 14 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)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 5th-most FP to RWLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.2 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to RWvs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Kyle Connor
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOSOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET2.4 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to LWLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bryan Rust or Kyle Connor in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bryan Rust's 2.28. Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Connor had 92 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, Bryan Rust or Kyle Connor?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Kyle Connor leads in 18 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 Connor done against each other?
- In 14 games against each other in our data, Rust's team went 8–6. Rust had 7 points (3 goals) and Connor had 9 (5 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 →