Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Demidov 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 Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Demidov has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Demidov's 1.2.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 30 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Demidov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 71.3%, 20+ mph bursts 155, Offensive-zone time 45.7%.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Corsi 56.2%, Fenwick 55.9%, High-danger chances 56.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 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
Ivan Demidov
1.38
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 | Demidov | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.43 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.15 | 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: Demidov vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Demidov 1G 4A, 21 SOG · Kucherov 4G 7A, 43 SOG
Demidov blocked 1 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 0 of Demidov's.
On the ice against each other (Demidov's side)
41:41 at 5-on-5 over 10 games, 2025-26, from Demidov's side
- Shot attempts
- 39–42
- 48.1%
- Expected goals
- 2.7–1.8
- 59.5%
- Goals
- 1–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Demidov | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-03 · PO | MTL 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-05-01 · PO | MTL 0–1 TBL | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2026-04-29 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 8S |
| 2026-04-26 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2026-04-24 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-04-21 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2026-04-19 · PO | MTL 4–3 TBL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 2A 5S |
| 2026-04-09 | MTL 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-31 | MTL 4–1 TBL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2025-12-28 | MTL 4–5 TBL | 1G 1A 3S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-09 | MTL 1–6 TBL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 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.
Ivan Demidov
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 11th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.2 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
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 Ivan Demidov 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 Ivan Demidov's 1.38. Demidov had 62 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, Ivan Demidov or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 30 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Demidov and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Demidov's team went 6–5. Demidov had 5 points (1 goals) and Kucherov had 11 (4 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 →