Who to start · 2025-26
Jake DeBrusk vs Nathan MacKinnon
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42.
DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 games.
This week DeBrusk has 2 games left; MacKinnon has 1 left. We project MacKinnon for 2.8 ESPN points to DeBrusk's 2.6.
Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 30 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrusk's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.13, Hits 66, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.078.
MacKinnon's biggest edges: Plus/minus +57, Goals above expected +3.0, Luck Meter +48.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jake DeBrusk
1.42
fantasy points per game
Nathan MacKinnon
3.32
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrusk | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 1.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.87 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.21 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.46 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.19 | 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: DeBrusk vs MacKinnon
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.
DeBrusk 9G 2A, 35 SOG · MacKinnon 10G 10A, 67 SOG
On the ice against each other (DeBrusk's side)
7:17 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from DeBrusk's side
- Shot attempts
- 1–9
- 10.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.8
- 1.3%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrusk | MacKinnon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-01 | VAN 8–6 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 7S |
| 2025-12-02 | VAN 1–3 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 6S |
| 2025-11-09 | VAN 4–5 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 2G 3A 4S |
| 2025-02-04 | VAN 3–0 COL | 1G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-12-16 | VAN 3–1 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-01-18 | BOS 5–2 COL | 1G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2024-01-08 | BOS 3–4 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2022-12-03 | BOS 5–1 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2022-01-26 | BOS 3–4 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-02-21 | BOS 5–1 COL | 1G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 7S |
| 2019-12-07 | BOS 1–4 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2019-10-10 | BOS 2–4 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 3S |
Latest 12 of 16 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.
Jake DeBrusk
4games (2 left)
2.6proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ EDMOpp allows 3rd-most FP to LWLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs EDMOpp allows 3rd-most FP to LWLikely vs Devon Levi (.682)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY1.5 ptsOpp allows 11th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −3.4 win%Likely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B1.1 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Carter Hart (.891)
Nathan MacKinnon
2games (1 left)
2.8proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.8 ptsSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jake DeBrusk or Nathan MacKinnon in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42. DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; MacKinnon had 127 in 80 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 Nathan MacKinnon?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon 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 DeBrusk and MacKinnon done against each other?
- In 16 games against each other in our data, DeBrusk's team went 7–9. DeBrusk had 11 points (9 goals) and MacKinnon had 20 (10 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 →