Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Schmaltz vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52.
Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Tarasenko has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.2.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 29 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Corsi 55.9%, Fenwick 55.7%, Plus/minus +17.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Hits 60, Transition attempts /60 1.12, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Schmaltz
2.04
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schmaltz | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.80 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.32 | 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: Schmaltz 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.
Schmaltz 8G 12A, 44 SOG · Tarasenko 9G 11A, 66 SOG
Schmaltz's offensive zone 0–1 · neutral 1–0 · Schmaltz's defensive zone 0–0 (2017-18 to 2018-19)
On the ice against each other (Schmaltz's side)
7:14 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Schmaltz's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–7
- 46.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.3
- 53.7%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schmaltz | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-10 | UTA 0–5 MIN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2026-02-27 | UTA 5–2 MIN | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-10-25 | UTA 6–2 MIN | 2G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-03-24 | UTA 1–5 DET | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-03-06 | UTA 4–2 DET | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-03-01 | ARI 5–3 OTT | 1G 1A 4S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2023-12-19 | ARI 4–3 OTT | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-01-26 | ARI 5–0 STL | 3G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-04-23 | ARI 4–5 STL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2022-04-04 | ARI 1–5 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2021-10-18 | ARI 4–7 STL | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2021-04-17 | ARI 3–2 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 20 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)
3.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 8th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
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 Nick Schmaltz or Vladimir Tarasenko 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 Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 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, Nick Schmaltz or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 29 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schmaltz and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 20 games against each other in our data, Schmaltz's team went 12–8. Schmaltz had 20 points (8 goals) and Tarasenko had 20 (9 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Schmaltz or Tarasenko?
- Against each other, Schmaltz has won 1 and Tarasenko 1 of their 2 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 →