Who to start · 2025-26
Bryan Rust vs Mikko Rantanen
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bryan Rust projects to 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mikko Rantanen's 2.21.
Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 games.
This week Rust has 1 game left; Rantanen has 1 left. We project Rust for 2.3 ESPN points to Rantanen's 2.3.
Mikko Rantanen has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rust's biggest edges: Goals above expected +1.5, Blocked shots 71, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.04.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Expected goals 54.4%, Sequence xG 54.3%, Penalty minutes 93.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Mikko Rantanen
2.34
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mikko Rantanen has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rust | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.69 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.86 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.27 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.22 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.49 | 0.23 |
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 Rantanen
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 6G 4A, 38 SOG · Rantanen 6G 11A, 49 SOG
Rust blocked 2 of Rantanen's shots; Rantanen blocked 0 of Rust's.
On the ice against each other (Rust's side)
10:18 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Rust's side
- Shot attempts
- 12–7
- 63.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.4
- 40.4%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rust | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-28 | PIT 3–6 DAL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2025-12-07 | PIT 2–3 DAL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-04-05 | PIT 5–3 DAL | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-10 | PIT 2–6 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 3G 2A 5S |
| 2024-03-24 | PIT 4–5 COL | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2023-10-26 | PIT 4–0 COL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-03-22 | PIT 5–2 COL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2023-02-07 | PIT 2–1 COL | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2022-04-05 | PIT 4–6 COL | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2022-04-02 | PIT 2–3 COL | 0G 0A 7S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2020-01-10 | PIT 4–3 COL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-12-04 | PIT 6–3 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 5S |
Latest 12 of 15 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
Mikko Rantanen
2games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B2.3 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bryan Rust or Mikko Rantanen 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 Mikko Rantanen's 2.21. Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 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 Mikko Rantanen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mikko Rantanen 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 Rantanen done against each other?
- In 15 games against each other in our data, Rust's team went 6–9. Rust had 10 points (6 goals) and Rantanen had 17 (6 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 →