Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Rickard Rakell
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Rickard Rakell's 2.10.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left; Rakell has 1 left. We project McDavid for 3.2 ESPN points to Rakell's 2.1.
Connor McDavid has the better number in 29 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
McDavid's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.12, Penalty minutes 44, Draw Equity /100 +0.000.
Rakell's biggest edges: Hardest shot 88.0, On-ice PDO 1018, Hits 71.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Rickard Rakell
2.10
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Rakell |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.75 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.44 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.13 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.34 |
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 Rakell
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 12G 28A, 76 SOG · Rakell 11G 7A, 59 SOG
McDavid's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 1–0 · McDavid's defensive zone 0–0 (2025-26)
On the ice against each other (McDavid's side)
10:36 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side
- Shot attempts
- 17–5
- 77.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.1
- 85.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McDavid | Rakell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-22 | EDM 2–6 PIT | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-16 | EDM 6–4 PIT | 2G 2A 6S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-01-09 | EDM 3–5 PIT | 0G 3A 3S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2024-10-25 | EDM 4–0 PIT | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-03-10 | EDM 4–0 PIT | 1G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-03-03 | EDM 6–1 PIT | 1G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-02-23 | EDM 7–2 PIT | 2G 2A 7S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-10-24 | EDM 6–3 PIT | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2022-04-26 | EDM 5–1 PIT | 1G 3A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-02-17 | EDM 7–3 ANA | 0G 2A 7S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2021-10-19 | EDM 6–5 ANA | 1G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2020-02-25 | EDM 3–4 ANA | 0G 3A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
Latest 12 of 19 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.
Connor McDavid
3games (1 left)
3.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA3.2 pts
Rickard Rakell
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHI
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.1 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor McDavid or Rickard Rakell 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 Rickard Rakell's 2.10. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 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 Rickard Rakell?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 29 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have McDavid and Rakell done against each other?
- In 19 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 12–7. McDavid had 40 points (12 goals) and Rakell had 18 (11 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, McDavid or Rakell?
- Against each other, McDavid has won 1 and Rakell 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 →