Who to start · 2025-26
Macklin Celebrini 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 Macklin Celebrini's 3.00.
Celebrini had 115 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Celebrini has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Celebrini for 3.0 ESPN points to Kucherov's 2.5.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Celebrini's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 625, Ascension score 62, Blocked shots 53.
Kucherov's biggest edges: High-danger chances 56.9%, Fenwick 55.9%, Corsi 56.2%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 1 PPP, 7 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Macklin Celebrini
3.00
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 | Celebrini | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.03 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.99 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.37 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.33 | 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: Celebrini vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Celebrini 0G 1A, 13 SOG · Kucherov 1G 7A, 5 SOG
On the ice against each other (Celebrini's side)
5:21 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Celebrini's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–5
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.2
- 39.2%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Celebrini | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-20 | SJS 1–4 TBL | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 3A 0S |
| 2026-01-03 | SJS 3–7 TBL | 0G 1A 5S | 1G 4A 2S |
| 2025-01-02 | SJS 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
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.
Macklin Celebrini
2games (1 left)
3.0proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK3.0 ptsOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 13th-most FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Macklin Celebrini 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 Macklin Celebrini's 3.00. Celebrini had 115 points in 82 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, Macklin Celebrini or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov 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 Celebrini and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Celebrini's team went 1–2. Celebrini had 1 points (0 goals) and Kucherov had 8 (1 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 →