Who to start · 2025-26
John Tavares vs Matthew Knies
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Knies projects to 2.06 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to John Tavares's 1.80.
Tavares had 71 points in 82 games; Knies had 66 in 79 games.
This week Tavares has 1 game left; Knies has 1 left. We project Tavares for 1.8 ESPN points to Knies's 1.8.
John Tavares has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Tavares's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 801, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.027, Forecheck xG /60 0.34.
Knies's biggest edges: Ascension score 56, Hits 152, Transition attempts /60 1.04.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
John Tavares
1.80
fantasy points per game
Matthew Knies
2.06
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Knies has the edge.
| Points per game from | Tavares | Knies |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.67 | 0.80 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.19 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.18 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.19 |
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: Tavares vs Knies
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Tavares blocked 1 of Knies's shots; Knies blocked 5 of Tavares's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
330:21 at 5-on-5 over 48 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 282–346
- 44.9%
- Expected goals
- 13.7–16.9
- 44.8%
- Goals
- 14–19
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.
John Tavares
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
Matthew Knies
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.8 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start John Tavares or Matthew Knies in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Knies projects to 2.06 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to John Tavares's 1.80. Tavares had 71 points in 82 games; Knies had 66 in 79 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, John Tavares or Matthew Knies?
- On 2025-26 numbers, John Tavares leads in 19 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 →