Who to start · 2025-26
Josh Anderson vs Nikita Kucherov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Anderson's 1.30.
Anderson had 23 points in 72 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Anderson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.8 ESPN points to Anderson's 0.8.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Anderson's biggest edges: Hits 129, Faceoffs won 23, Top skating speed 23.3.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.7%, Power-play share 84.4%, High-danger chances 56.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Josh Anderson
1.30
fantasy points per game
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Anderson | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.18 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.13 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.19 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.28 | 0.21 |
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: Anderson vs Kucherov
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.
Anderson 8G 4A, 70 SOG · Kucherov 20G 30A, 126 SOG
Anderson blocked 2 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 1 of Anderson's.
On the ice against each other (Anderson's side)
45:25 at 5-on-5 over 11 games, 2025-26, from Anderson's side
- Shot attempts
- 36–49
- 42.4%
- Expected goals
- 2.2–2.5
- 46.5%
- Goals
- 2–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Anderson | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-03 · PO | MTL 2–1 TBL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-05-01 · PO | MTL 0–1 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2026-04-29 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 8S |
| 2026-04-26 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2026-04-24 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-04-21 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 1G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2026-04-19 · PO | MTL 4–3 TBL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 5S |
| 2026-04-09 | MTL 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-31 | MTL 4–1 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2025-12-28 | MTL 4–5 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-09 | MTL 1–6 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-21 | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 4S |
Latest 12 of 36 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.
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.
Josh Anderson
2games (1 left)
0.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 16th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT0.8 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RWvs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.8proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.8 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to RWSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Josh Anderson or Nikita Kucherov in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Anderson's 1.30. Anderson had 23 points in 72 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 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, Josh Anderson or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 24 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Anderson and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 36 games against each other in our data, Anderson's team went 14–22. Anderson had 12 points (8 goals) and Kucherov had 50 (20 goals).
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 →