Who to start · 2025-26
Chandler Stephenson vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47.
Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Stephenson has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Tarasenko has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Stephenson for 2.9 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.2.
Vladimir Tarasenko has the better number in 19 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Stephenson's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 759, Top skating speed 23.3, 20+ mph bursts 169.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Expected goals 49.3%, High-danger chances 49.3%, Transition attempts /60 1.12.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chandler Stephenson
1.42
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Vladimir Tarasenko has the edge.
| Points per game from | Stephenson | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.40 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.41 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.10 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.12 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.35 | 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: Stephenson vs Tarasenko
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.
Stephenson 5G 10A, 25 SOG · Tarasenko 8G 10A, 52 SOG
Stephenson blocked 1 of Tarasenko's shots; Tarasenko blocked 1 of Stephenson's.
On the ice against each other (Stephenson's side)
6:42 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Stephenson's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–8
- 46.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.7
- 30.2%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Stephenson | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | SEA 2–5 MIN | 0G 1A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2026-01-08 | SEA 2–3 MIN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-12-08 | SEA 1–4 MIN | 0G 1A 4S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-02-04 | SEA 4–5 DET | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-01-12 | SEA 2–6 DET | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 0S |
| 2024-02-24 | VGK 3–4 OTT | 2G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-12-23 | VGK 5–4 STL | 1G 3A 3S | 1G 2A 6S |
| 2022-11-12 | VGK 2–3 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-04-29 | VGK 7–4 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-11-22 | VGK 2–5 STL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2021-10-20 | VGK 1–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 7S |
| 2021-04-07 | VGK 1–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 5S |
Latest 12 of 18 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.
Chandler Stephenson
3games (2 left)
2.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGYOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.5 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.5 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.2 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chandler Stephenson or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47. Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 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, Chandler Stephenson or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Vladimir Tarasenko leads in 19 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Stephenson and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 18 games against each other in our data, Stephenson's team went 7–11. Stephenson had 15 points (5 goals) and Tarasenko had 18 (8 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 →