Who to start · 2025-26
Kyle Connor vs Pavel Buchnevich
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kyle Connor projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.39.
Connor had 92 points in 82 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 games.
This week Connor has 2 games left with 1 tough matchup; Buchnevich has 2 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Connor for 3.6 ESPN points to Buchnevich's 2.7.
Kyle Connor has the better number in 24 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Connor's biggest edges: Luck Meter +51, 20+ mph bursts 162, Offensive-zone start % 71.2%.
Buchnevich's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 98, Blocked shots 40, Forecheck xG /60 0.31.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Kyle Connor
2.22
fantasy points per game
Pavel Buchnevich
1.39
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Kyle Connor has the edge.
| Points per game from | Connor | Buchnevich |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.95 | 0.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.35 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.33 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.25 |
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 Buchnevich
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 13G 15A, 81 SOG · Buchnevich 9G 13A, 56 SOG
Connor blocked 1 of Buchnevich's shots; Buchnevich blocked 2 of Connor's.
On the ice against each other (Connor's side)
26:35 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Connor's side
- Shot attempts
- 26–26
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–1.7
- 40.8%
- Goals
- 2–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Connor | Buchnevich |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-09 | WPG 3–2 STL | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-03-15 | WPG 3–2 STL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-01-20 | WPG 3–1 STL | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-17 | WPG 0–1 STL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-04 · PO | WPG 4–3 STL | 0G 3A 7S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-05-02 · PO | WPG 2–5 STL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-04-30 · PO | WPG 5–3 STL | 1G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-04-27 · PO | WPG 1–5 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-04-24 · PO | WPG 2–7 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 3G 1A 5S |
| 2025-04-21 · PO | WPG 2–1 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-04-19 · PO | WPG 5–3 STL | 1G 2A 5S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-04-07 | WPG 3–1 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
Latest 12 of 25 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
3.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOS1.6 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to LW
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET2.0 ptsSchedule edge −2.9 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
Pavel Buchnevich
2games
2.7proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DAL1.2 ptsvs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.5 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −16.8 win%Likely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Kyle Connor or Pavel Buchnevich 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 Pavel Buchnevich's 1.39. Connor had 92 points in 82 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 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 Pavel Buchnevich?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Kyle Connor leads in 24 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Connor and Buchnevich done against each other?
- In 25 games against each other in our data, Connor's team went 17–8. Connor had 28 points (13 goals) and Buchnevich had 22 (9 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 →