Who to start · 2025-26
Bryan Rust vs Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
In 2025-26, Bryan Rust scored 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70.
Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Nugent-Hopkins had 56 in 72 games.
This week Rust has 1 game left; Nugent-Hopkins has 1 left. We project Rust for 1.9 ESPN points to Nugent-Hopkins's 1.4.
Bryan Rust has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rust's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1019, Blocked shots 71, 20+ mph bursts 124.
Nugent-Hopkins's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 172, Transition attempts /60 1.26, Expected goals 51.2%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
1.70
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Bryan Rust has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rust | Nugent-Hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.56 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.20 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.49 | 0.22 |
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 Nugent-Hopkins
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 4G 6A, 37 SOG · Nugent-Hopkins 5G 6A, 34 SOG
Rust's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–2 · Rust's defensive zone 0–0 (2017-18)
On the ice against each other (Rust's side)
10:47 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Rust's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–19
- 26.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–1.1
- 31.4%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rust | Nugent-Hopkins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-22 | PIT 6–2 EDM | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-12-16 | PIT 4–6 EDM | 1G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-09 | PIT 5–3 EDM | 1G 2A 2S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2024-10-25 | PIT 0–4 EDM | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2024-03-10 | PIT 0–4 EDM | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-02-23 | PIT 2–7 EDM | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2022-10-24 | PIT 3–6 EDM | 1G 0A 5S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2022-04-26 | PIT 1–5 EDM | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2019-12-20 | PIT 5–2 EDM | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2019-11-02 | PIT 1–2 EDM | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2019-02-13 | PIT 3–1 EDM | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2018-10-23 | PIT 6–5 EDM | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 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)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL1.9 pts
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
3games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.4 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bryan Rust or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in fantasy hockey?
- In 2025-26, Bryan Rust scored 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70. Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Nugent-Hopkins had 56 in 72 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 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?
- 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 Nugent-Hopkins done against each other?
- In 14 games against each other in our data, Rust's team went 7–7. Rust had 10 points (4 goals) and Nugent-Hopkins had 11 (5 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Rust or Nugent-Hopkins?
- Against each other, Rust has won 0 and Nugent-Hopkins 2 of their 2 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 →