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Who to start · 2025-26

Jake DeBrusk vs Mattias Ekholm

Jake DeBruskJake DeBruskCanucks · Left wingvsMattias EkholmMattias EkholmOilers · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mattias Ekholm projects to 1.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42.

DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Ekholm had 41 in 82 games.

This week DeBrusk has 2 games left; Ekholm has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project DeBrusk for 2.7 ESPN points to Ekholm's 1.1.

Mattias Ekholm has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

DeBrusk's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 168, Power-play share 70.3%, Top skating speed 23.5.

Ekholm's biggest edges: Plus/minus +32, Scoring chances 57.3%, Sequence xG 58.4%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Jake DeBrusk

1.42

fantasy points per game

Mattias Ekholm

1.43

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mattias Ekholm has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromDeBruskEkholm
Goals (+2)0.500.13
Assists (+1)0.270.38
Power-play points (+0.5)0.130.02
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.260.15
Hits (+0.1)0.080.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.190.67

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: DeBrusk vs Ekholm

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

DeBruskEkholm
7Team record in 17 meetings10
9Points in those games4

DeBrusk 3G 6A, 40 SOG · Ekholm 0G 4A, 34 SOG

0Hits on each other2
1Shots blocked by the other2

DeBrusk blocked 1 of Ekholm's shots; Ekholm blocked 2 of DeBrusk's.

1Penalties drawn off the other1

On the ice against each other (DeBrusk's side)

20:24 at 5-on-5 over 5 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27, from DeBrusk's side

Shot attempts
16–19
45.7%
Expected goals
0.9–0.9
51.1%
Goals
1–0

Games against each other

Games between Jake DeBrusk and Mattias Ekholm
DateScoreDeBruskEkholm
2026-10-01VAN 7–9 EDM0G 0A 4S0G 0A 0S
2026-09-29VAN 6–5 EDM0G 1A 0S0G 0A 2S
2026-04-16VAN 1–6 EDM0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S
2026-01-17VAN 0–6 EDM0G 0A 2S0G 0A 2S
2025-10-26VAN 4–3 EDM0G 0A 4S0G 0A 1S
2025-10-11VAN 1–3 EDM0G 1A 2S0G 0A 1S
2025-01-23VAN 2–6 EDM0G 0A 2S0G 1A 4S
2025-01-18VAN 3–2 EDM0G 0A 2S0G 0A 1S
2024-11-09VAN 3–7 EDM0G 1A 0S0G 0A 2S
2024-03-05BOS 1–2 EDM0G 0A 3S0G 0A 2S
2024-02-21BOS 6–5 EDM1G 1A 6S0G 1A 5S
2023-03-09BOS 2–3 EDM0G 0A 1S0G 0A 2S

Latest 12 of 17 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.

DeBruskEkholm

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Jake DeBrusk

4games (2 left)

2.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ EDM
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to LWLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs EDM
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to LWLikely vs Devon Levi (.682)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY1.4 pts
    Opp allows 16th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −3.4 win%Likely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B1.3 pts
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Carter Hart (.891)

Mattias Ekholm

3games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.1 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Jake DeBrusk or Mattias Ekholm in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mattias Ekholm projects to 1.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42. DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Ekholm had 41 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, Jake DeBrusk or Mattias Ekholm?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mattias Ekholm 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 DeBrusk and Ekholm done against each other?
In 17 games against each other in our data, DeBrusk's team went 7–10. DeBrusk had 9 points (3 goals) and Ekholm had 4 (0 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 →