Who to start · 2025-26
Mattias Samuelsson vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mattias Samuelsson projects to 2.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52.
Samuelsson had 41 points in 78 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Samuelsson has 1 game left; Tarasenko has 1 left. We project Samuelsson for 2.0 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.5.
Mattias Samuelsson has the better number in 21 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Samuelsson's biggest edges: Plus/minus +41, Faceoffs won 0, 20+ mph bursts 93.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Power-play share 44.9%, Power-play time per game 2:13, Offensive-zone time 41.8%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mattias Samuelsson
2.01
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mattias Samuelsson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Samuelsson | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.33 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.36 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.14 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.17 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.99 | 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: Samuelsson vs Tarasenko
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Samuelsson 0G 2A, 17 SOG · Tarasenko 4G 3A, 28 SOG
Samuelsson blocked 1 of Tarasenko's shots; Tarasenko blocked 0 of Samuelsson's.
On the ice against each other (Samuelsson's side)
6:53 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Samuelsson's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–4
- 60.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.1
- 65.8%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Samuelsson | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-17 | BUF 4–5 MIN | 0G 1A 0S | 1G 1A 5S |
| 2025-11-29 | BUF 3–2 MIN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-03-12 | BUF 3–7 DET | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2024-11-02 | BUF 1–2 DET | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-10-26 | BUF 5–3 DET | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-01-11 | BUF 5–3 OTT | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2023-12-31 | BUF 1–5 OTT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-10-24 | BUF 6–4 OTT | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2023-04-10 | BUF 3–2 NYR | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-03-31 | BUF 3–2 NYR | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-03-11 | BUF 1–2 NYR | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-01-24 | BUF 5–3 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
Latest 12 of 14 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 Samuelsson
2games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJ
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI2.0 pts
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.5 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mattias Samuelsson or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mattias Samuelsson projects to 2.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52. Samuelsson had 41 points in 78 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 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 Samuelsson or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mattias Samuelsson leads in 21 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Samuelsson and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 14 games against each other in our data, Samuelsson's team went 8–6. Samuelsson had 2 points (0 goals) and Tarasenko had 7 (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 →