Who to start · 2025-26
Mikko Rantanen 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 Mikko Rantanen's 2.21.
Rantanen had 77 points in 64 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Rantanen has 1 game left; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Rantanen's 2.0.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 27 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 37, Ascension score 54, Top skating speed 22.8.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Corsi 56.2%, Goals above expected +3.9, Fenwick 55.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mikko Rantanen
2.21
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 | Rantanen | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.64 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.81 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.25 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 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: Rantanen 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.
Rantanen 1G 15A, 56 SOG · Kucherov 10G 14A, 75 SOG
Rantanen's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Rantanen's defensive zone 0–1 (2021-22)
Rantanen blocked 3 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 1 of Rantanen's.
On the ice against each other (Rantanen's side)
8:46 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Rantanen's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–13
- 27.8%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.7
- 33.1%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rantanen | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-18 | DAL 1–4 TBL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-10-30 | DAL 1–2 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-03-20 | DAL 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-11-25 | COL 2–8 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 2A 4S |
| 2024-10-30 | COL 2–5 TBL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2024-02-15 | COL 3–6 TBL | 0G 1A 4S | 2G 1A 6S |
| 2023-11-27 | COL 4–1 TBL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 1A 6S |
| 2023-02-14 | COL 3–4 TBL | 0G 0A 5S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2023-02-09 | COL 0–5 TBL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-06-26 · PO | COL 2–1 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-06-24 · PO | COL 2–3 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2022-06-22 · PO | COL 3–2 TBL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 22 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.
Mikko Rantanen
2games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B2.0 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mikko Rantanen 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 Mikko Rantanen's 2.21. Rantanen had 77 points in 64 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, Mikko Rantanen or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 27 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Rantanen and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 22 games against each other in our data, Rantanen's team went 7–15. Rantanen had 16 points (1 goals) and Kucherov had 24 (10 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Rantanen or Kucherov?
- Against each other, Rantanen has won 0 and Kucherov 1 of their 1 head-to-head draws.
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 →