Who to start · 2025-26
Mike Matheson vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52.
Matheson had 37 points in 78 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Matheson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Tarasenko has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Matheson for 1.3 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.2.
Vladimir Tarasenko has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Matheson's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, 20+ mph bursts 90, Top skating speed 22.8.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 41.8%, High-danger chances 49.3%, Goals above expected +4.0.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mike Matheson
1.77
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mike Matheson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Matheson | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.18 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.96 | 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: Matheson vs Tarasenko
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 1G 6A, 37 SOG · Tarasenko 4G 6A, 42 SOG
Matheson blocked 3 of Tarasenko's shots; Tarasenko blocked 1 of Matheson's.
On the ice against each other (Matheson's side)
5:39 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Matheson's side
- Shot attempts
- 10–8
- 55.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.5
- 35.6%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Matheson | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-02 | MTL 3–4 MIN | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-01-20 | MTL 4–3 MIN | 0G 1A 2S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2025-04-08 | MTL 4–1 DET | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-23 | MTL 2–4 DET | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2024-12-21 | MTL 5–1 DET | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-20 | MTL 4–3 DET | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-04-02 | MTL 5–3 FLA | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-01-23 | MTL 1–4 OTT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-01-18 | MTL 2–6 OTT | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2023-03-09 | MTL 3–4 NYR | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-03-17 | PIT 3–2 STL | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-01-05 | PIT 5–3 STL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 16 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)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.3 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to DLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.2 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +13.0 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mike Matheson or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52. Matheson had 37 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, Mike Matheson or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Vladimir Tarasenko leads in 18 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Matheson and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 16 games against each other in our data, Matheson's team went 9–7. Matheson had 7 points (1 goals) and Tarasenko had 10 (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 →