Who to start · 2025-26
Joel Eriksson Ek vs Kirill Kaprizov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kirill Kaprizov projects to 2.50 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Joel Eriksson Ek's 1.70.
Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 games; Kaprizov had 89 in 78 games.
This week Eriksson Ek has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kaprizov has 1 left. We project Kaprizov for 1.9 ESPN points to Eriksson Ek's 1.3.
Kirill Kaprizov has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Eriksson Ek's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 681, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.023, Hits 106.
Kaprizov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 67.5%, Forecheck xG /60 0.28, Scoring chances 52.7%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Joel Eriksson Ek
1.70
fantasy points per game
Kirill Kaprizov
2.50
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Kirill Kaprizov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Eriksson Ek | Kaprizov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.51 | 1.21 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.43 | 0.53 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.19 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.28 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.23 | 0.16 |
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: Eriksson Ek vs Kaprizov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2020-21 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Eriksson Ek blocked 16 of Kaprizov's shots; Kaprizov blocked 3 of Eriksson Ek's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
244:17 at 5-on-5 over 63 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 246–222
- 52.6%
- Expected goals
- 12.0–9.1
- 56.8%
- Goals
- 13–5
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.
Joel Eriksson Ek
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 10th-most FP to CLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.3 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Kirill Kaprizov
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 12th-most FP to LWLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.9 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Joel Eriksson Ek or Kirill Kaprizov in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kirill Kaprizov projects to 2.50 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Joel Eriksson Ek's 1.70. Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 games; Kaprizov had 89 in 78 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, Joel Eriksson Ek or Kirill Kaprizov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Kirill Kaprizov leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
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 →