Who to start · 2025-26
John Tavares vs William Nylander
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, William Nylander projects to 2.36 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to John Tavares's 1.80.
Tavares had 71 points in 82 games; Nylander had 79 in 65 games.
This week Tavares has 1 game left; Nylander has 1 left. We project Nylander for 2.3 ESPN points to Tavares's 1.8.
William Nylander has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Tavares's biggest edges: Hits 74, Faceoffs won 801, Penalty minutes 28.
Nylander's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.67, Goals above expected +5.0, Luck Meter +74.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
John Tavares
1.80
fantasy points per game
William Nylander
2.36
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, William Nylander has the edge.
| Points per game from | Tavares | Nylander |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.67 | 1.05 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 0.67 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.02 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.24 |
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 Nylander
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Tavares 1G 0A, 10 SOG · Nylander 0G 2A, 7 SOG
Tavares's offensive zone 2–1 · neutral 0–1 · Tavares's defensive zone 2–1 (2017-18)
Tavares blocked 10 of Nylander's shots; Nylander blocked 1 of Tavares's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
636:55 at 5-on-5 over 61 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 602–648
- 48.2%
- Expected goals
- 31.0–33.2
- 48.3%
- Goals
- 39–40
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Tavares | Nylander |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-30 | NYI 4–5 TOR | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2018-02-22 | NYI 3–4 TOR | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-01-31 | NYI 0–5 TOR | 0G 0A 5S | 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.
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
William Nylander
3games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
- Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT2.3 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start John Tavares or William Nylander in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, William Nylander projects to 2.36 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to John Tavares's 1.80. Tavares had 71 points in 82 games; Nylander had 79 in 65 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 William Nylander?
- On 2025-26 numbers, William Nylander leads in 20 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Tavares and Nylander done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Tavares's team went 0–3. Tavares had 1 points (1 goals) and Nylander had 2 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Tavares or Nylander?
- Against each other, Tavares has won 4 and Nylander 3 of their 7 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 →