Who to start · 2025-26
Chris Kreider vs Mike Matheson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chris Kreider's 1.42.
Kreider had 50 points in 75 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 games.
This week Kreider has 1 game left; Matheson has 1 left. We project Matheson for 1.8 ESPN points to Kreider's 1.5.
Chris Kreider has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kreider's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 65.7%, Offensive-zone time 44.5%, Corsi 55.9%.
Matheson's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 −0.06, Ascension score 56, Blocked shots 150.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chris Kreider
1.42
fantasy points per game
Mike Matheson
1.80
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mike Matheson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kreider | Matheson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.55 | 0.17 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.35 | 0.42 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.96 |
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: Kreider vs Matheson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kreider 18G 18A, 93 SOG · Matheson 3G 12A, 69 SOG
Kreider blocked 2 of Matheson's shots; Matheson blocked 4 of Kreider's.
On the ice against each other (Kreider's side)
16:08 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kreider's side
- Shot attempts
- 32–12
- 72.7%
- Expected goals
- 1.8–0.6
- 74.7%
- Goals
- 3–1
On the ice together
5:26 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 3–7
- 30.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.3
- 22.5%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kreider | Matheson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | ANA 4–3 MTL | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-03-06 | ANA 6–5 MTL | 1G 3A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-01-19 | NYR 4–5 MTL | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-30 | NYR 4–3 MTL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2024-10-22 | NYR 7–2 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-04-07 | NYR 5–2 MTL | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2024-02-15 | NYR 7–4 MTL | 3G 0A 6S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-01-06 | NYR 3–4 MTL | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2023-03-09 | NYR 4–3 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-05-15 · PO | NYR 4–3 PIT | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-05-13 · PO | NYR 5–3 PIT | 2G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-05-11 · PO | NYR 5–3 PIT | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 31 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.
Chris Kreider
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.5 pts
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.8 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chris Kreider or Mike Matheson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chris Kreider's 1.42. Kreider had 50 points in 75 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 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, Chris Kreider or Mike Matheson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Chris Kreider leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Kreider and Matheson done against each other?
- In 31 games against each other in our data, Kreider's team went 19–12. Kreider had 36 points (18 goals) and Matheson had 15 (3 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 →