Who to start · 2025-26
Bryan Rust vs Sidney Crosby
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bryan Rust projects to 2.28 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sidney Crosby's 2.18.
Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Crosby had 74 in 68 games.
This week Rust has 1 game left; Crosby has 1 left. We project Rust for 2.2 ESPN points to Crosby's 2.0.
Sidney Crosby has the better number in 21 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rust's biggest edges: Blocked shots 71, Shorthanded points 2, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.04.
Crosby's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 773, Transition attempts /60 1.07, Penalty minutes 44.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bryan Rust
2.28
fantasy points per game
Sidney Crosby
2.23
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Bryan Rust has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rust | Crosby |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.85 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.66 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.17 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.09 |
| 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 Crosby
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 blocked 6 of Crosby's shots; Crosby blocked 3 of Rust's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
844:52 at 5-on-5 over 66 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 883–837
- 51.3%
- Expected goals
- 38.8–41.1
- 48.6%
- Goals
- 52–42
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)
Sidney Crosby
2games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.0 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to Cvs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bryan Rust or Sidney Crosby 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 Sidney Crosby's 2.18. Rust had 65 points in 72 games; Crosby had 74 in 68 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 Sidney Crosby?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sidney Crosby leads in 21 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
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 →