Who to start · 2025-26
Jake McCabe vs Quinn Hughes
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake McCabe's 1.75.
McCabe had 25 points in 80 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 games.
This week McCabe has 1 game left; Hughes has 1 left. We project Hughes for 2.2 ESPN points to McCabe's 1.8.
Quinn Hughes has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
McCabe's biggest edges: Hits 104, Goals above expected +0.7, Blocked shots 190.
Hughes's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 46.7%, Ascension score 57, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.47.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jake McCabe
1.75
fantasy points per game
Quinn Hughes
2.16
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Quinn Hughes has the edge.
| Points per game from | McCabe | Hughes |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.11 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.22 | 0.94 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.22 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.13 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.19 | 0.55 |
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: McCabe vs Hughes
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2019-20 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
McCabe 1G 1A, 12 SOG · Hughes 0G 13A, 20 SOG
McCabe blocked 4 of Hughes's shots; Hughes blocked 1 of McCabe's.
On the ice against each other (McCabe's side)
20:52 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from McCabe's side
- Shot attempts
- 12–28
- 30.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–1.8
- 13.4%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McCabe | Hughes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | TOR 4–2 MIN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-01-19 | TOR 3–6 MIN | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2024-01-20 | TOR 4–6 VAN | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 3A 1S |
| 2023-11-11 | TOR 5–2 VAN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2023-03-04 | TOR 1–4 VAN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2023-01-24 | CHI 2–5 VAN | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2022-01-31 | CHI 1–3 VAN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2021-11-21 | CHI 1–0 VAN | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2021-10-21 | CHI 1–4 VAN | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2020-01-11 | BUF 3–6 VAN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2019-12-07 | BUF 5–6 VAN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
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 McCabe
3games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
- Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT1.8 pts
Quinn Hughes
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS2.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jake McCabe or Quinn Hughes in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake McCabe's 1.75. McCabe had 25 points in 80 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 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 McCabe or Quinn Hughes?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Quinn Hughes leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have McCabe and Hughes done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, McCabe's team went 3–8. McCabe had 2 points (1 goals) and Hughes had 13 (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 →