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Who to start · 2025-26

Connor McDavid vs Nikita Kucherov

Connor McDavidConnor McDavidOilers · CentrevsNikita KucherovNikita KucherovLightning · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nikita Kucherov's 3.01.

McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.

This week McDavid has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to McDavid's 2.3.

Connor McDavid has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

McDavid's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 457, Top skating speed 24.6, Ascension score 62.

Kucherov's biggest edges: Hardest shot 92.1, On-ice PDO 1046, Goals above expected +1.7.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Connor McDavid

3.45

fantasy points per game

Nikita Kucherov

3.01

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMcDavidKucherov
Goals (+2)1.151.20
Assists (+1)1.321.05
Power-play points (+0.5)0.350.23
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.350.29
Hits (+0.1)0.050.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.220.21

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 Kucherov

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.

McDavidKucherov
5Team record in 14 meetings9
21Points in those games28

McDavid 13G 8A, 69 SOG · Kucherov 11G 17A, 71 SOG

1Faceoffs against each other0

McDavid's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · McDavid's defensive zone 1–0 (2018-19)

0Penalties drawn off the other1

On the ice against each other (McDavid's side)

18:13 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side

Shot attempts
15–30
33.3%
Expected goals
0.7–2.1
23.7%
Goals
0–2

Games against each other

Games between Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov
DateScoreMcDavidKucherov
2026-03-21EDM 2–5 TBL1G 0A 4S2G 2A 7S
2025-11-20EDM 1–2 TBL0G 0A 3S0G 1A 6S
2025-02-25EDM 1–4 TBL0G 1A 2S0G 2A 3S
2024-12-10EDM 2–1 TBL1G 0A 4S0G 1A 3S
2023-12-14EDM 4–7 TBL1G 1A 7S1G 2A 3S
2023-11-18EDM 4–6 TBL0G 0A 3S2G 1A 6S
2023-01-19EDM 5–3 TBL1G 1A 6S0G 1A 4S
2022-11-08EDM 3–2 TBL1G 1A 5S0G 1A 7S
2022-03-12EDM 4–1 TBL2G 0A 7S0G 0A 7S
2022-02-23EDM 3–5 TBL2G 0A 5S1G 1A 4S
2018-12-22EDM 3–6 TBL0G 3A 5S1G 4A 3S
2018-11-06EDM 2–5 TBL0G 0A 5S2G 1A 6S

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.

McDavidKucherov

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 VAN
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA2.3 pts
    Opp allows 6th-fewest FP to C

Nikita Kucherov

2games (1 left)

2.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to RW
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 pts
    Schedule edge +9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Connor McDavid or Nikita Kucherov 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 Nikita Kucherov's 3.01. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 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 Nikita Kucherov?
On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 20 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have McDavid and Kucherov done against each other?
In 14 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 5–9. McDavid had 21 points (13 goals) and Kucherov had 28 (11 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, McDavid or Kucherov?
Against each other, McDavid has won 1 and Kucherov 0 of their 1 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 →