Who to start · 2025-26
Jake DeBrusk vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jake DeBrusk projects to 1.42 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week DeBrusk has 2 games left; Cates has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project DeBrusk for 2.7 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.
Noah Cates has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrusk's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 168, Transition attempts /60 1.79, Top skating speed 23.5.
Cates's biggest edges: Plus/minus +26, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.031, On-ice PDO 1026.
- • 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, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jake DeBrusk
1.42
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jake DeBrusk has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrusk | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.11 |
| 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 Cates
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
DeBrusk 2G 2A, 15 SOG · Cates 1G 3A, 7 SOG
On the ice against each other (DeBrusk's side)
5:03 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from DeBrusk's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–4
- 55.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.0
- 97.4%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrusk | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-30 | VAN 3–6 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2025-12-22 | VAN 2–5 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-03-23 | BOS 2–3 PHI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-16 | BOS 6–5 PHI | 1G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-04-09 | BOS 5–3 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2022-11-17 | BOS 4–1 PHI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
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 LW
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to LW
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LW
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-most FP to LW
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jake DeBrusk or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jake DeBrusk projects to 1.42 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Cates had 47 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 Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Noah Cates leads in 20 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 Cates done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, DeBrusk's team went 3–3. DeBrusk had 4 points (2 goals) and Cates had 4 (1 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 →