Who to start · 2025-26
Joel Eriksson Ek vs Nikolaj Ehlers
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Joel Eriksson Ek projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65.
Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 games; Ehlers had 71 in 82 games.
This week Eriksson Ek has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Ehlers has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Ehlers for 1.8 ESPN points to Eriksson Ek's 1.3.
Nikolaj Ehlers has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Eriksson Ek's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1037, Hits 106, Faceoffs won 681.
Ehlers's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 67.3%, Forecheck xG /60 0.31, Scoring chances 58.5%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Joel Eriksson Ek
1.70
fantasy points per game
Nikolaj Ehlers
1.65
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Joel Eriksson Ek has the edge.
| Points per game from | Eriksson Ek | Ehlers |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.51 | 0.56 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.43 | 0.48 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.28 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.03 |
| 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
Joel Eriksson Ek and Nikolaj Ehlers have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).
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 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.3 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Nikolaj Ehlers
3games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 13th-most FP to LWLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSHLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.8 ptsOpp allows 4th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −12.8 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Joel Eriksson Ek or Nikolaj Ehlers in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Joel Eriksson Ek projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nikolaj Ehlers's 1.65. Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 games; Ehlers had 71 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, Joel Eriksson Ek or Nikolaj Ehlers?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikolaj Ehlers 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 →