Who to start · 2025-26
Jake DeBrusk vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42.
DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week DeBrusk has 2 games left; Smith has 1 left. We project DeBrusk for 3.0 ESPN points to Smith's 1.7.
Will Smith has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
DeBrusk's biggest edges: Top skating speed 23.5, Blocked shots 34, Hits 66.
Smith's biggest edges: Luck Meter +40, Goals above expected +2.0, On-ice PDO 1033.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jake DeBrusk
1.42
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Will Smith has the edge.
| Points per game from | DeBrusk | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.13 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.26 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.08 |
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 Smith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
DeBrusk 3G 3A, 22 SOG · Smith 2G 2A, 12 SOG
DeBrusk's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · DeBrusk's defensive zone 0–1 (2025-26)
DeBrusk blocked 0 of Smith's shots; Smith blocked 1 of DeBrusk's.
On the ice against each other (DeBrusk's side)
10:52 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from DeBrusk's side
- Shot attempts
- 12–12
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–0.4
- 73.4%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | DeBrusk | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-11 | VAN 4–3 SJS | 1G 0A 8S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2026-01-27 | VAN 2–5 SJS | 0G 2A 2S | 1G 2A 1S |
| 2025-11-28 | VAN 2–3 SJS | 0G 0A 5S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-04-14 | VAN 2–1 SJS | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-02-06 | VAN 2–1 SJS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-12-23 | VAN 4–3 SJS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-11-02 | VAN 3–2 SJS | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
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)
3.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ EDM
- Thu, Oct 1 vs EDM
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY1.5 pts
- Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B1.5 pts
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.7 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jake DeBrusk or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42. DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Will Smith leads in 24 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 Smith done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, DeBrusk's team went 5–2. DeBrusk had 6 points (3 goals) and Smith had 4 (2 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, DeBrusk or Smith?
- Against each other, DeBrusk has won 0 and Smith 1 of their 1 head-to-head draws.
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 →