Who to start · 2025-26
Ian Cole vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30.
Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Cole has 1 game left; Tarasenko has 1 left. We project Tarasenko for 1.5 ESPN points to Cole's 1.3.
Vladimir Tarasenko has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Cole's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Plus/minus +16, Penalty minutes 50.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Goals above expected +4.0, Power-play time per game 2:13, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ian Cole
1.41
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Vladimir Tarasenko has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cole | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.07 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.24 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.92 | 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: Cole vs Tarasenko
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.
Cole 1G 4A, 17 SOG · Tarasenko 7G 11A, 46 SOG
Cole blocked 1 of Tarasenko's shots; Tarasenko blocked 1 of Cole's.
On the ice against each other (Cole's side)
13:20 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Cole's side
- Shot attempts
- 16–16
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.6–0.7
- 46.1%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cole | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-10 | UTA 0–5 MIN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2026-02-27 | UTA 5–2 MIN | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-10-25 | UTA 6–2 MIN | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-03-24 | UTA 1–5 DET | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-03-06 | UTA 4–2 DET | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-01-02 | VAN 6–3 OTT | 1G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2023-11-09 | VAN 5–2 OTT | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-04-05 | TBL 3–6 NYR | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2022-11-25 | TBL 5–2 STL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-03-26 | CAR 7–2 STL | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-11-13 | CAR 3–2 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2021-04-28 | MIN 3–4 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
Latest 12 of 22 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.
Ian Cole
3games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
- Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
- Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF1.3 ptsSchedule edge −1.0 win%
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.5 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ian Cole or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30. Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 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, Ian Cole or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Vladimir Tarasenko leads in 18 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Cole and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 22 games against each other in our data, Cole's team went 10–12. Cole had 5 points (1 goals) and Tarasenko had 18 (7 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 →