Who to start · 2025-26
Emil Heineman 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 Emil Heineman's 1.57.
Heineman had 31 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Heineman has 1 game left; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Heineman's 1.5.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 25 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Heineman's biggest edges: Hits 247, Blocked shots 54, Top skating speed 23.5.
Kucherov's biggest edges: High-danger chances 56.9%, Plus/minus +43, Luck Meter +54.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Emil Heineman
1.57
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 | Heineman | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.63 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.10 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 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: Heineman vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Heineman 0G 1A, 3 SOG · Kucherov 1G 2A, 7 SOG
Heineman blocked 2 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 0 of Heineman's.
On the ice against each other (Heineman's side)
15:19 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Heineman's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–13
- 40.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.5
- 66.4%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Heineman | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-13 | NYI 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 4S |
| 2025-12-02 | NYI 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-29 | MTL 5–2 TBL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
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)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TORSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.5 pts
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Emil Heineman 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 Emil Heineman's 1.57. Heineman had 31 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, Emil Heineman or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 25 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 Kucherov done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Heineman's team went 3–0. Heineman had 1 points (0 goals) and Kucherov had 3 (1 goals).
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 →