Who to start · 2025-26
Mike Matheson 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 Mike Matheson's 1.80.
Matheson had 37 points in 78 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Matheson has 1 game left; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 3.0 ESPN points to Matheson's 1.8.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Matheson's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.035, Blocked shots 150.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.7%, Offensive-zone start % 67.3%, High-danger chances 56.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mike Matheson
1.80
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 | Matheson | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.17 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.42 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.96 | 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: Matheson vs Kucherov
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.
Matheson 2G 9A, 50 SOG · Kucherov 19G 26A, 107 SOG
Matheson blocked 12 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 1 of Matheson's.
On the ice against each other (Matheson's side)
103:39 at 5-on-5 over 11 games, 2025-26, from Matheson's side
- Shot attempts
- 80–113
- 41.5%
- Expected goals
- 5.3–5.2
- 50.7%
- Goals
- 4–6
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Matheson | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-03 · PO | MTL 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-05-01 · PO | MTL 0–1 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2026-04-29 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 8S |
| 2026-04-26 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2026-04-24 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-04-21 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2026-04-19 · PO | MTL 4–3 TBL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 2A 5S |
| 2026-04-09 | MTL 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-31 | MTL 4–1 TBL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2025-12-28 | MTL 4–5 TBL | 0G 1A 2S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-09 | MTL 1–6 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-21 | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 4S |
Latest 12 of 32 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.
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.8 pts
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
3.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH3.0 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mike Matheson 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 Mike Matheson's 1.80. Matheson had 37 points in 78 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, Mike Matheson or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Matheson and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 32 games against each other in our data, Matheson's team went 11–21. Matheson had 11 points (2 goals) and Kucherov had 45 (19 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 →