Who to start · 2025-26
Mike Matheson vs Quinn Hughes
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mike Matheson's 1.80.
Matheson had 37 points in 78 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 games.
This week Matheson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Hughes has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Hughes for 1.7 ESPN points to Matheson's 1.3.
Quinn Hughes has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Matheson's biggest edges: Luck Meter +28, Hits 59, Goals above expected −0.1.
Hughes's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 46.7%, Corsi 53.0%, Offensive-zone start % 49.6%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mike Matheson
1.80
fantasy points per game
Quinn Hughes
2.16
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Quinn Hughes has the edge.
| Points per game from | Matheson | Hughes |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.17 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.42 | 0.94 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.22 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.96 | 0.55 |
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 Hughes
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2019-20 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Matheson 2G 4A, 15 SOG · Hughes 0G 10A, 21 SOG
Matheson blocked 1 of Hughes's shots; Hughes blocked 2 of Matheson's.
On the ice against each other (Matheson's side)
35:04 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Matheson's side
- Shot attempts
- 39–45
- 46.4%
- Expected goals
- 1.5–1.8
- 45.5%
- Goals
- 1–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Matheson | Hughes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-02 | MTL 3–4 MIN | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 3A 6S |
| 2026-01-20 | MTL 4–3 MIN | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-10-25 | MTL 4–3 VAN | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 0S |
| 2025-01-06 | MTL 5–4 VAN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2024-03-21 | MTL 1–4 VAN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-11-12 | MTL 2–5 VAN | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-12-05 | MTL 6–7 VAN | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2021-12-04 | PIT 4–1 VAN | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2021-11-24 | PIT 4–1 VAN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2020-01-09 | FLA 5–2 VAN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 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.
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.3 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to DLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Quinn Hughes
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 11th-most FP to DLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.7 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mike Matheson or Quinn Hughes in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mike Matheson's 1.80. Matheson had 37 points in 78 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 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 Quinn Hughes?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Quinn Hughes 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 Matheson and Hughes done against each other?
- In 10 games against each other in our data, Matheson's team went 6–4. Matheson had 6 points (2 goals) and Hughes had 10 (0 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 →