Who to start · 2025-26
Mattias Ekholm vs Nikolaj Ehlers
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikolaj Ehlers projects to 1.65 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43.
Ekholm had 41 points in 82 games; Ehlers had 71 in 82 games.
This week Ekholm has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Ehlers has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Ehlers for 1.9 ESPN points to Ekholm's 1.1.
Nikolaj Ehlers has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Ekholm's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Hits 65, Blocked shots 125.
Ehlers's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.6, 20+ mph bursts 182, Ascension score 52.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mattias Ekholm
1.43
fantasy points per game
Nikolaj Ehlers
1.65
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikolaj Ehlers has the edge.
| Points per game from | Ekholm | Ehlers |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.13 | 0.56 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.48 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.67 | 0.16 |
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: Ekholm vs Ehlers
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.
Ekholm 3G 6A, 63 SOG · Ehlers 6G 12A, 69 SOG
Ekholm blocked 4 of Ehlers's shots; Ehlers blocked 0 of Ekholm's.
On the ice against each other (Ekholm's side)
6:38 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Ekholm's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–5
- 54.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.0
- 97.1%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Ekholm | Ehlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-06 | EDM 3–6 CAR | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2025-11-15 | EDM 4–3 CAR | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-03-20 | EDM 3–4 WPG | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-10-09 | EDM 0–6 WPG | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-03-26 | EDM 4–3 WPG | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-11-30 | EDM 3–1 WPG | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-10-21 | EDM 2–3 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-03-04 | EDM 5–7 WPG | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-03-03 | EDM 6–3 WPG | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-01-24 | NSH 2–1 WPG | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2021-10-23 | NSH 4–6 WPG | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2020-02-04 | NSH 2–1 WPG | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
Latest 12 of 29 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.
Mattias Ekholm
3games (1 left)
1.1proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VANOpp allows 5th-most FP to DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VANOpp allows 5th-most FP to DLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.1 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)
Nikolaj Ehlers
3games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 13th-most FP to LWLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSHLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 4th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −12.1 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mattias Ekholm or Nikolaj Ehlers in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikolaj Ehlers projects to 1.65 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mattias Ekholm's 1.43. Ekholm had 41 points in 82 games; Ehlers had 71 in 82 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, Mattias Ekholm or Nikolaj Ehlers?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikolaj Ehlers 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 Ekholm and Ehlers done against each other?
- In 29 games against each other in our data, Ekholm's team went 14–15. Ekholm had 9 points (3 goals) and Ehlers had 18 (6 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 →