Who to start · 2025-26
Darren Raddysh vs Nikita Kucherov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Darren Raddysh's 2.15.
Raddysh had 70 points in 73 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Raddysh has 1 game left; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Raddysh's 1.7.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Raddysh's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Hits 67, Goals above expected +5.7.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.08, Top skating speed 22.4, Ascension score 46.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 7 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Darren Raddysh
2.15
fantasy points per game
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Raddysh | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.53 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.58 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.16 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.51 | 0.21 |
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: Raddysh vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Raddysh blocked 1 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 2 of Raddysh's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
534:50 at 5-on-5 over 73 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 688–426
- 61.8%
- Expected goals
- 32.9–21.9
- 60.0%
- Goals
- 41–24
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.
Darren Raddysh
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs MTLOpp allows 7th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2BOpp allows 12th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT1.7 ptsLikely vs Linus Ullmark (.891)
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 13th-most FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Darren Raddysh or Nikita Kucherov in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Darren Raddysh's 2.15. Raddysh had 70 points in 73 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, Darren Raddysh or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 21 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 →