Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Roman Josi
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Roman Josi's 2.24.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Josi had 55 in 68 games.
This week Kucherov has 1 game left; Josi has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Josi's 2.1.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 27 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Plus/minus +43, On-ice PDO 1046, Sequence xG 57.2%.
Josi's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.11, Transition attempts /60 0.90.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Roman Josi
2.24
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Josi |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.20 | 0.48 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.05 | 0.58 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.23 | 0.17 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.70 |
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 Josi
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kucherov 7G 9A, 41 SOG · Josi 6G 5A, 61 SOG
Kucherov blocked 1 of Josi's shots; Josi blocked 2 of Kucherov's.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Josi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-29 | TBL 3–2 NSH | 0G 1A 2S | 2G 0A 4S |
| 2024-10-28 | TBL 3–2 NSH | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2023-12-07 | TBL 1–5 NSH | 0G 0A 6S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2023-10-10 | TBL 5–3 NSH | 2G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-12-08 | TBL 5–2 NSH | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2022-11-19 | TBL 3–2 NSH | 1G 2A 6S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2022-04-23 | TBL 6–2 NSH | 1G 2A 4S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2022-02-26 | TBL 3–2 NSH | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2019-12-03 | TBL 3–2 NSH | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2019-10-26 | TBL 2–3 NSH | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 2A 6S |
| 2018-11-19 | TBL 2–3 NSH | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2018-11-01 | TBL 1–4 NSH | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 14 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)
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)
Roman Josi
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs MINOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL2.1 ptsSchedule edge +12.5 win%Likely vs Casey DeSmith (.907)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Roman Josi 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 Roman Josi's 2.24. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Josi had 55 in 68 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 Roman Josi?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov 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 Kucherov and Josi done against each other?
- In 14 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 9–5. Kucherov had 16 points (7 goals) and Josi had 11 (6 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 →