Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Rasmus Dahlin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Rasmus Dahlin's 2.10.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Dahlin had 74 in 77 games.
This week Kucherov has 1 game left; Dahlin has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 3.0 ESPN points to Dahlin's 2.2.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 67.3%, Goals above expected +3.9, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.042.
Dahlin's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Hits 67, Forecheck xG /60 0.38.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Rasmus Dahlin
2.10
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Dahlin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.20 | 0.46 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.05 | 0.67 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.23 | 0.13 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.09 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.48 |
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: Kucherov vs Dahlin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kucherov 15G 20A, 80 SOG · Dahlin 5G 19A, 48 SOG
On the ice against each other (Kucherov's side)
26:57 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Kucherov's side
- Shot attempts
- 33–25
- 56.9%
- Expected goals
- 1.4–1.4
- 50.0%
- Goals
- 1–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Dahlin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-06 | TBL 2–4 BUF | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-08 | TBL 7–8 BUF | 2G 1A 5S | 1G 2A 1S |
| 2026-02-28 | TBL 2–6 BUF | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2026-02-03 | TBL 4–3 BUF | 1G 3A 7S | 0G 1A 7S |
| 2025-04-13 | TBL 7–4 BUF | 2G 1A 4S | 0G 2A 4S |
| 2025-04-05 | TBL 2–3 BUF | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-03-06 | TBL 6–5 BUF | 0G 2A 1S | 1G 1A 5S |
| 2024-04-15 | TBL 2–4 BUF | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-02-29 | TBL 2–3 BUF | 0G 1A 4S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2024-01-20 | TBL 3–1 BUF | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2023-10-17 | TBL 2–3 BUF | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-02-23 | TBL 5–6 BUF | 0G 1A 6S | 0G 2A 1S |
Latest 12 of 24 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.
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
3.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH3.0 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Rasmus Dahlin
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJ
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI2.2 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Rasmus Dahlin 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 Rasmus Dahlin's 2.10. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Dahlin had 74 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, Nikita Kucherov or Rasmus Dahlin?
- 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 Kucherov and Dahlin done against each other?
- In 24 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 14–10. Kucherov had 35 points (15 goals) and Dahlin had 24 (5 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 →