Who to start · 2025-26
Mark Stone 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 Mark Stone's 2.47.
Stone had 73 points in 60 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Stone has 1 game left; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 3.0 ESPN points to Stone's 2.6.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Stone's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.68, Blocked shots 47, Forecheck xG /60 0.34.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 50, 20+ mph bursts 138, Shots on goal 231.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mark Stone
2.47
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 | Stone | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.94 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.66 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 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: Stone vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Stone 3G 10A, 20 SOG · Kucherov 4G 10A, 38 SOG
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Stone | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-23 | VGK 4–2 TBL | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2024-10-17 | VGK 3–4 TBL | 0G 1A 0S | 2G 0A 6S |
| 2023-12-21 | VGK 4–5 TBL | 0G 1A 0S | 1G 2A 5S |
| 2020-02-20 | VGK 5–3 TBL | 1G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2020-02-04 | VGK 2–4 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2018-11-10 | OTT 6–4 TBL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-11-04 | OTT 3–4 TBL | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2018-02-22 | OTT 3–4 TBL | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2018-01-06 | OTT 6–3 TBL | 1G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2017-12-21 | OTT 3–4 TBL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 2A 7S |
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.
Mark Stone
3games (1 left)
2.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN2.6 pts
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
3.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH3.0 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mark Stone 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 Mark Stone's 2.47. Stone had 73 points in 60 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, Mark Stone or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Stone and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 10 games against each other in our data, Stone's team went 4–6. Stone had 13 points (3 goals) and Kucherov had 14 (4 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 →