Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Nathan MacKinnon vs Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Nathan MacKinnonNathan MacKinnonAvalanche · CentrevsRyan Nugent-HopkinsRyan Nugent-HopkinsOilers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70.

MacKinnon had 127 points in 80 games; Nugent-Hopkins had 56 in 72 games.

This week MacKinnon has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Nugent-Hopkins has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project MacKinnon for 2.2 ESPN points to Nugent-Hopkins's 1.1.

Nathan MacKinnon has the better number in 31 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.

MacKinnon's biggest edges: Plus/minus +57, On-ice PDO 1054, 20+ mph bursts 455.

Nugent-Hopkins's biggest edges: Shorthanded points 1, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.065, Power-play share 86.6%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 8 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Nathan MacKinnon

3.17

fantasy points per game

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

1.70

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Nathan MacKinnon has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMacKinnonNugent-Hopkins
Goals (+2)1.320.56
Assists (+1)0.930.50
Power-play points (+0.5)0.190.20
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.440.18
Hits (+0.1)0.080.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.220.22

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

Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

MacKinnonNugent-Hopkins

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Nathan MacKinnon

2games (1 left)

2.2proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL2.2 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

3games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.1 pts
    Opp allows 6th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Nathan MacKinnon or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nathan MacKinnon projects to 3.32 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70. MacKinnon had 127 points in 80 games; Nugent-Hopkins had 56 in 72 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, Nathan MacKinnon or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nathan MacKinnon leads in 31 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →