Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Joel Eriksson Ek vs Tomas Hertl

Joel Eriksson EkJoel Eriksson EkWild · CentrevsTomas HertlTomas HertlGolden Knights · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tomas Hertl projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Joel Eriksson Ek's 1.70.

Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 games; Hertl had 58 in 82 games.

This week Eriksson Ek has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Hertl has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Hertl for 2.0 ESPN points to Eriksson Ek's 1.3.

Tomas Hertl has the better number in 23 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Eriksson Ek's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1037, Plus/minus +16, Luck Meter +19.

Hertl's biggest edges: High-danger chances 59.2%, Offensive-zone start % 61.8%, Scoring chances 56.7%.

Head to head on the dot, Hertl leads Eriksson Ek 74–50.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Joel Eriksson Ek

1.70

fantasy points per game

Tomas Hertl

1.88

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Tomas Hertl has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromEriksson EkHertl
Goals (+2)0.510.63
Assists (+1)0.430.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.110.17
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.280.27
Hits (+0.1)0.150.14
Blocks (+0.5)0.230.30

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: Eriksson Ek vs Hertl

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

Eriksson EkHertl
16Team record in 30 meetings14
15Points in those games30

Eriksson Ek 6G 9A, 73 SOG · Hertl 12G 18A, 62 SOG

50Faceoffs against each other74

Eriksson Ek's offensive zone 10–19 · neutral 20–22 · Eriksson Ek's defensive zone 20–33 (2017-18 to 2025-26)

2Hits on each other0
0Penalties drawn off the other2

On the ice against each other (Eriksson Ek's side)

5:25 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Eriksson Ek's side

Shot attempts
8–7
53.3%
Expected goals
0.5–0.4
53.8%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Joel Eriksson Ek and Tomas Hertl
DateScoreEriksson EkHertl
2026-03-06MIN 4–2 VGK0G 0A 4S0G 1A 1S
2025-12-29MIN 5–2 VGK1G 1A 2S0G 0A 0S
2025-11-16MIN 3–2 VGK1G 0A 3S0G 1A 3S
2025-05-01 · POMIN 2–3 VGK0G 0A 0S0G 0A 2S
2025-04-29 · POMIN 2–3 VGK0G 2A 2S0G 0A 2S
2025-04-26 · POMIN 3–4 VGK0G 1A 4S1G 1A 3S
2025-04-24 · POMIN 5–2 VGK0G 0A 6S0G 0A 2S
2025-04-22 · POMIN 5–2 VGK0G 0A 3S1G 0A 3S
2025-04-20 · POMIN 2–4 VGK0G 0A 4S1G 1A 4S
2025-01-12MIN 1–4 VGK0G 0A 0S1G 1A 5S
2024-04-12MIN 2–7 VGK0G 0A 2S1G 0A 2S
2023-03-11MIN 5–2 SJS0G 0A 6S1G 1A 5S

Latest 12 of 30 meetings.

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

Eriksson EkHertl

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 @ NSH
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to CLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.3 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)

Tomas Hertl

3games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Spencer Knight (.902)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
    Likely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN2.0 pts
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Joel Eriksson Ek or Tomas Hertl in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tomas Hertl projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Joel Eriksson Ek's 1.70. Eriksson Ek had 51 points in 70 games; Hertl had 58 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 Tomas Hertl?
On 2025-26 numbers, Tomas Hertl leads in 23 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Eriksson Ek and Hertl done against each other?
In 30 games against each other in our data, Eriksson Ek's team went 16–14. Eriksson Ek had 15 points (6 goals) and Hertl had 30 (12 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, Eriksson Ek or Hertl?
Against each other, Eriksson Ek has won 50 and Hertl 74 of their 124 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 →