Who to start · 2025-26
Kyle Connor vs Mikko Rantanen
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mikko Rantanen's 2.21.
Connor had 92 points in 82 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 games.
This week Connor has 1 game left; Rantanen has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Connor for 2.4 ESPN points to Rantanen's 1.6.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.
Connor's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.31, Goals above expected +1.1, 20+ mph bursts 162.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 93, Faceoffs won 37, Top skating speed 22.8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Kyle Connor
2.43
fantasy points per game
Mikko Rantanen
2.21
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Kyle Connor has the edge.
| Points per game from | Connor | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.02 | 0.64 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.67 | 0.81 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.14 | 0.25 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.37 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.22 |
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: Connor vs Rantanen
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.
Connor 21G 14A, 141 SOG · Rantanen 17G 32A, 104 SOG
Connor blocked 1 of Rantanen's shots; Rantanen blocked 3 of Connor's.
On the ice against each other (Connor's side)
27:28 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Connor's side
- Shot attempts
- 21–29
- 42.0%
- Expected goals
- 1.5–1.9
- 44.4%
- Goals
- 2–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Connor | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-02 | WPG 0–3 DAL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2026-02-02 | WPG 3–4 DAL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2025-12-09 | WPG 3–4 DAL | 0G 2A 7S | 0G 3A 0S |
| 2025-10-09 | WPG 4–5 DAL | 3G 0A 6S | 1G 2A 3S |
| 2025-05-17 · PO | WPG 1–2 DAL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-05-15 · PO | WPG 4–0 DAL | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-05-13 · PO | WPG 1–3 DAL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-05-11 · PO | WPG 2–5 DAL | 1G 0A 7S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2025-05-09 · PO | WPG 4–0 DAL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-07 · PO | WPG 2–3 DAL | 0G 0A 3S | 3G 0A 5S |
| 2025-04-10 | WPG 4–0 DAL | 2G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-03-14 | WPG 4–1 DAL | 2G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 40 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.
Kyle Connor
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOSOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET2.4 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to LWLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
Mikko Rantanen
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.6 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Kyle Connor or Mikko Rantanen in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mikko Rantanen's 2.21. Connor had 92 points in 82 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 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, Kyle Connor or Mikko Rantanen?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Connor and Rantanen done against each other?
- In 40 games against each other in our data, Connor's team went 18–22. Connor had 35 points (21 goals) and Rantanen had 49 (17 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 →