Who to start · 2025-26
Jake DeBrusk vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42.
DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week DeBrusk has 2 games left; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to DeBrusk's 2.7.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 28 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrusk's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.79, Hits 66, Top skating speed 23.5.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Goals above expected +5.3, Plus/minus +17, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jake DeBrusk
1.42
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrusk | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.30 |
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 Schmaltz
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 4G 7A, 43 SOG · Schmaltz 7G 8A, 32 SOG
DeBrusk blocked 0 of Schmaltz's shots; Schmaltz blocked 2 of DeBrusk's.
On the ice against each other (DeBrusk's side)
16:58 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from DeBrusk's side
- Shot attempts
- 18–9
- 66.7%
- Expected goals
- 1.0–0.4
- 69.2%
- Goals
- 0–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrusk | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-04 | VAN 4–7 UTA | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2026-02-02 | VAN 2–6 UTA | 0G 0A 0S | 3G 1A 3S |
| 2025-12-05 | VAN 1–4 UTA | 0G 0A 5S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-16 | VAN 1–3 UTA | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2025-02-23 | VAN 1–2 UTA | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-12-18 | VAN 2–3 UTA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-01-09 | BOS 3–4 ARI | 1G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2023-12-09 | BOS 5–3 ARI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-12-09 | BOS 3–4 ARI | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2022-03-12 | BOS 3–2 ARI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2022-01-28 | BOS 2–1 ARI | 0G 0A 6S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2020-02-08 | BOS 4–2 ARI | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 15 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)
2.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ EDMOpp allows 3rd-most FP to LW
- Thu, Oct 1 vs EDMOpp allows 3rd-most FP to LW
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY1.4 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to LW
- Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B1.3 ptsOpp allows 14th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 8th-most FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jake DeBrusk or Nick Schmaltz in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42. DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Schmaltz had 74 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 Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 28 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 Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 15 games against each other in our data, DeBrusk's team went 6–9. DeBrusk had 11 points (4 goals) and Schmaltz had 15 (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 →