Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Suzuki vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Suzuki projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
Suzuki had 101 points in 82 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week Suzuki has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Cates has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Suzuki for 1.7 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.
Nick Suzuki has the better number in 29 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Suzuki's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 237, Top skating speed 23.6, Fenwick 54.6%.
Cates's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.031, Goals above expected −0.6, High-danger chances 52.6%.
Head to head on the dot, Suzuki leads Cates 35–26.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Suzuki
2.43
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Suzuki has the edge.
| Points per game from | Suzuki | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.66 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.82 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.39 | 0.30 |
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 Cates
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Suzuki 4G 7A, 24 SOG · Cates 0G 3A, 17 SOG
Suzuki's offensive zone 17–11 · neutral 12–12 · Suzuki's defensive zone 6–3 (2022-23 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Suzuki's side)
11:31 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Suzuki's side
- Shot attempts
- 19–7
- 73.1%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–0.3
- 70.7%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Suzuki | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-14 | MTL 2–4 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-16 | MTL 1–4 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-04 | MTL 4–5 PHI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-04-05 | MTL 3–2 PHI | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-03-27 | MTL 4–6 PHI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-10-27 | MTL 4–3 PHI | 1G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-09 | MTL 9–3 PHI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-03-28 | MTL 2–3 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-02-24 | MTL 5–2 PHI | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-19 | MTL 5–4 PHI | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-04-21 | MTL 3–6 PHI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
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 Cvs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Suzuki or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Suzuki projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Suzuki had 101 points in 82 games; Cates had 47 in 82 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 Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Suzuki leads in 29 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Suzuki and Cates done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Suzuki's team went 5–6. Suzuki had 11 points (4 goals) and Cates had 3 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Suzuki or Cates?
- Against each other, Suzuki has won 35 and Cates 26 of their 61 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 →