Who to start · 2025-26
Bryan Rust vs Rickard Rakell
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bryan Rust projects to 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Rickard Rakell's 2.10.
Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 games.
This week Rust has 1 game left; Rakell has 1 left. We project Rust for 2.3 ESPN points to Rakell's 2.1.
Bryan Rust has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rust's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 26, Blocked shots 71, Goals above expected +1.5.
Rakell's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 81, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.42, Hits 71.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Rickard Rakell
2.10
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Bryan Rust has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rust | Rakell |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.80 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.40 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.13 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.28 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.12 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.49 | 0.36 |
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 Rakell
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 0G 0A, 9 SOG · Rakell 1G 2A, 7 SOG
Rust blocked 2 of Rakell's shots; Rakell blocked 3 of Rust's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
608:41 at 5-on-5 over 52 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 628–589
- 51.6%
- Expected goals
- 26.0–28.5
- 47.7%
- Goals
- 34–28
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rust | Rakell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-02-28 | PIT 2–3 ANA | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2019-01-11 | PIT 7–4 ANA | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2017-12-23 | PIT 0–4 ANA | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 4S |
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
Rickard Rakell
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.1 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell 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 Rickard Rakell's 2.10. Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 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 Rickard Rakell?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Bryan Rust 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 Rakell done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Rust's team went 1–2. Rust had 0 points (0 goals) and Rakell had 3 (1 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 →