Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Darnell Nurse
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Darnell Nurse's 1.83.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Nurse had 24 in 82 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Nurse has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project McDavid for 2.3 ESPN points to Nurse's 2.1.
Connor McDavid has the better number in 28 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
McDavid's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +1.05, Plus/minus +17, Ascension score 62.
Nurse's biggest edges: Hits 137, Hardest shot 94.5, Blocked shots 167.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Darnell Nurse
1.83
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.16 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.19 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.19 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.17 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 1.11 |
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: McDavid vs Nurse
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.
McDavid blocked 1 of Nurse's shots; Nurse blocked 0 of McDavid's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
384:29 at 5-on-5 over 88 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 403–382
- 51.3%
- Expected goals
- 22.4–19.0
- 54.1%
- Goals
- 21–15
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.
Connor McDavid
3games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VANOpp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VANOpp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA2.3 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)
Darnell Nurse
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK2.1 ptsOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor McDavid or Darnell Nurse in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Darnell Nurse's 1.83. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Nurse had 24 in 82 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, Connor McDavid or Darnell Nurse?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 28 of 34 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 →