Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Suzuki vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Suzuki projects to 2.43 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94.
Suzuki had 101 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Suzuki has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left. We project Suzuki for 2.5 ESPN points to Smith's 1.7.
Nick Suzuki has the better number in 27 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Suzuki's biggest edges: Blocked shots 62, Top skating speed 23.6, Faceoffs won 731.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, Goals above expected +2.0, Transition attempts /60 2.05.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Suzuki
2.43
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Suzuki has the edge.
| Points per game from | Suzuki | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.66 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.82 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.39 | 0.08 |
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 Smith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Suzuki 3G 3A, 11 SOG · Smith 2G 2A, 5 SOG
Suzuki's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Suzuki's defensive zone 1–1 (2024-25)
On the ice against each other (Suzuki's side)
13:54 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Suzuki's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–16
- 23.8%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–1.3
- 5.8%
- Goals
- 0–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Suzuki | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-14 | MTL 2–4 SJS | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-03-03 | MTL 5–7 SJS | 0G 1A 4S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2025-02-27 | MTL 4–3 SJS | 2G 1A 3S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2025-02-04 | MTL 4–3 SJS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
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)
2.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT2.5 pts
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.7 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Suzuki or Will Smith 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 Will Smith's 1.94. Suzuki had 101 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Suzuki leads in 27 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 Smith done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Suzuki's team went 2–2. Suzuki had 6 points (3 goals) and Smith had 4 (2 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Suzuki or Smith?
- Against each other, Suzuki has won 1 and Smith 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 →