Who to start · 2025-26
Mikko Rantanen vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52.
Rantanen had 77 points in 64 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Rantanen has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Tarasenko has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Rantanen for 1.6 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.2.
Mikko Rantanen has the better number in 23 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 93, Offensive-zone start % 63.2%, Top skating speed 22.8.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Goals above expected +4.0, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.018.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mikko Rantanen
2.34
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mikko Rantanen has the edge.
| Points per game from | Rantanen | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.69 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.86 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.27 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.23 | 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: Rantanen 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.
Rantanen 16G 31A, 123 SOG · Tarasenko 9G 14A, 102 SOG
Rantanen blocked 1 of Tarasenko's shots; Tarasenko blocked 1 of Rantanen's.
On the ice against each other (Rantanen's side)
22:15 at 5-on-5 over 7 games, 2025-26, from Rantanen's side
- Shot attempts
- 29–26
- 52.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.7–1.2
- 37.4%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Rantanen | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-30 · PO | DAL 2–5 MIN | 0G 1A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2026-04-28 · PO | DAL 2–4 MIN | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-04-25 · PO | DAL 2–3 MIN | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-22 · PO | DAL 4–3 MIN | 1G 1A 6S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-04-20 · PO | DAL 4–2 MIN | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-04-18 · PO | DAL 1–6 MIN | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-09 | DAL 5–4 MIN | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-11 | DAL 2–5 MIN | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2025-10-14 | DAL 5–2 MIN | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-04-14 | DAL 4–6 DET | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-03-04 | CAR 2–1 DET | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-07 | COL 2–1 DET | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
Latest 12 of 40 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)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.6 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −13.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
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 +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mikko Rantanen or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52. Rantanen had 77 points in 64 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, Mikko Rantanen or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mikko Rantanen leads in 23 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Rantanen and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 40 games against each other in our data, Rantanen's team went 23–17. Rantanen had 47 points (16 goals) and Tarasenko had 23 (9 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 →