Who to start · 2025-26
Matthew Knies vs Mikko Rantanen
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matthew Knies's 2.06.
Knies had 66 points in 79 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 games.
This week Knies has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Rantanen has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Rantanen for 1.6 ESPN points to Knies's 1.4.
Mikko Rantanen has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Knies's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.20, Hits 152, Goals above expected +0.3.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Expected goals 54.4%, Sequence xG 54.3%, Plus/minus 0.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Matthew Knies
2.06
fantasy points per game
Mikko Rantanen
2.21
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mikko Rantanen has the edge.
| Points per game from | Knies | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.80 | 0.64 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.57 | 0.81 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.25 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.19 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.19 | 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: Knies vs Rantanen
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Knies 0G 3A, 4 SOG · Rantanen 2G 5A, 10 SOG
On the ice against each other (Knies's side)
2:23 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Knies's side
- Shot attempts
- 2–1
- 66.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.0
- 79.7%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Knies | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-13 | TOR 5–6 DAL | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-21 | TOR 1–5 DAL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-02-22 | TOR 6–3 CAR | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-02-24 | TOR 4–3 COL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2024-01-13 | TOR 3–5 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 4S |
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.
Matthew Knies
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 10th-most FP to LWLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.4 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
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 Matthew Knies or Mikko Rantanen in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matthew Knies's 2.06. Knies had 66 points in 79 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, Matthew Knies or Mikko Rantanen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mikko Rantanen leads in 22 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Knies and Rantanen done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Knies's team went 2–3. Knies had 3 points (0 goals) and Rantanen had 7 (2 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 →