Who to start · 2025-26
Emil Heineman vs John Tavares
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Tavares projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Emil Heineman's 1.57.
Heineman had 31 points in 82 games; Tavares had 71 in 82 games.
This week Heineman has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Tavares has 1 left. We project Tavares for 1.7 ESPN points to Heineman's 1.2.
John Tavares has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Heineman's biggest edges: Blocked shots 54, Hits 247, 20+ mph bursts 177.
Tavares's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 801, Assists 40, Luck Meter +12.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Emil Heineman
1.57
fantasy points per game
John Tavares
1.80
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, John Tavares has the edge.
| Points per game from | Heineman | Tavares |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.63 | 0.67 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.10 | 0.49 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.22 |
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: Heineman vs Tavares
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Heineman 4G 2A, 15 SOG · Tavares 1G 1A, 16 SOG
Heineman's offensive zone 0–1 · neutral 0–0 · Heineman's defensive zone 0–0 (2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Heineman's side)
16:28 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27, from Heineman's side
- Shot attempts
- 22–19
- 53.7%
- Expected goals
- 1.5–0.3
- 82.6%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Heineman | Tavares |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-30 | NYI 1–2 TOR | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-09 | NYI 5–3 TOR | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-17 | NYI 3–1 TOR | 1G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-01-03 | NYI 4–3 TOR | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-11-09 | MTL 1–4 TOR | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2024-10-09 | MTL 1–0 TOR | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
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.
Emil Heineman
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 11th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.2 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
John Tavares
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs MTLOpp allows 14th-most FP to CLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2BOpp allows 15th-most FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT1.7 ptsvs Linus Ullmark (.891)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Emil Heineman or John Tavares in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, John Tavares projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Emil Heineman's 1.57. Heineman had 31 points in 82 games; Tavares had 71 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, Emil Heineman or John Tavares?
- On 2025-26 numbers, John Tavares leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Heineman and Tavares done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, Heineman's team went 4–2. Heineman had 6 points (4 goals) and Tavares had 2 (1 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Heineman or Tavares?
- Against each other, Heineman has won 0 and Tavares 1 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 →