Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Schmaltz vs Pavel Buchnevich
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30.
Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 games.
This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Buchnevich has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schmaltz for 3.8 ESPN points to Buchnevich's 1.5.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 34 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Top skating speed 23.2, Plus/minus +17, Goals above expected +4.2.
Buchnevich's biggest edges: Hits 30, Forecheck xG /60 0.31.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Pavel Buchnevich
1.30
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schmaltz | Buchnevich |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.88 | 0.46 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.47 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.08 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 0.23 |
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: Schmaltz vs Buchnevich
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.
Schmaltz 10G 19A, 36 SOG · Buchnevich 10G 14A, 32 SOG
Schmaltz's offensive zone 0–1 · neutral 0–0 · Schmaltz's defensive zone 0–0 (2024-25)
On the ice against each other (Schmaltz's side)
17:43 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Schmaltz's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–15
- 37.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–1.0
- 17.0%
- Goals
- 1–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schmaltz | Buchnevich |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-16 | UTA 3–5 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2026-01-09 | UTA 4–2 STL | 2G 1A 5S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-11-29 | UTA 0–1 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-10-23 | UTA 7–4 STL | 1G 2A 1S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-04-15 | UTA 1–6 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2025-02-02 | UTA 1–2 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-01-18 | UTA 4–2 STL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-11-07 | UTA 4–2 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2023-12-02 | ARI 4–1 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-11-22 | ARI 5–6 STL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-11-09 | ARI 1–2 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-03-07 | ARI 6–2 STL | 1G 1A 2S | 2G 0A 5S |
Latest 12 of 21 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.
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.8proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.8 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 ptsOpp allows 10th-most FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Pavel Buchnevich
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DALLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.5 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.4 win%Likely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Schmaltz or Pavel Buchnevich in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 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, Nick Schmaltz or Pavel Buchnevich?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 34 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schmaltz and Buchnevich done against each other?
- In 21 games against each other in our data, Schmaltz's team went 11–10. Schmaltz had 29 points (10 goals) and Buchnevich had 24 (10 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Schmaltz or Buchnevich?
- Against each other, Schmaltz has won 0 and Buchnevich 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 →