Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Suzuki 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 Nick Suzuki's 2.43.
Suzuki had 101 points in 82 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Suzuki has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Suzuki's 1.7.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Suzuki's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 731, Blocked shots 62, Top skating speed 23.6.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Goals above expected +1.7, High-danger chances 56.9%, Hardest shot 92.1.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Suzuki
2.43
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 | Suzuki | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.66 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.82 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.25 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.39 | 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: Suzuki vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2019-20 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Suzuki 7G 16A, 56 SOG · Kucherov 16G 23A, 101 SOG
Suzuki blocked 2 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 1 of Suzuki's.
On the ice against each other (Suzuki's side)
62:19 at 5-on-5 over 10 games, 2025-26, from Suzuki's side
- Shot attempts
- 53–66
- 44.5%
- Expected goals
- 2.8–2.5
- 52.6%
- Goals
- 3–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Suzuki | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-03 · PO | MTL 2–1 TBL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-05-01 · PO | MTL 0–1 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2026-04-29 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 8S |
| 2026-04-26 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2026-04-24 · PO | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-04-21 · PO | MTL 2–3 TBL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2026-04-19 · PO | MTL 4–3 TBL | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 2A 5S |
| 2026-04-09 | MTL 2–1 TBL | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-31 | MTL 4–1 TBL | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2025-12-28 | MTL 4–5 TBL | 0G 0A 0S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2025-12-09 | MTL 1–6 TBL | 0G 1A 4S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-21 | MTL 3–2 TBL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
Latest 12 of 31 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 Suzuki
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.7 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to CLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 13th-most FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Suzuki 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 Nick Suzuki's 2.43. Suzuki had 101 points in 82 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, Nick Suzuki or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 24 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Suzuki and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 31 games against each other in our data, Suzuki's team went 11–20. Suzuki had 23 points (7 goals) and Kucherov had 39 (16 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 →