Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Steven Stamkos
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Steven Stamkos's 2.00.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Stamkos had 66 in 82 games.
This week Kucherov has 1 game left; Stamkos has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Kucherov for 2.8 ESPN points to Stamkos's 2.0.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Plus/minus +43, Fenwick 55.9%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.08.
Stamkos's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 323, Hits 89, Forecheck xG /60 0.43.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Steven Stamkos
2.00
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Stamkos |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.20 | 0.96 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.05 | 0.34 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.23 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 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: Kucherov vs Stamkos
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kucherov 1G 2A, 9 SOG · Stamkos 0G 3A, 9 SOG
Kucherov blocked 0 of Stamkos's shots; Stamkos blocked 3 of Kucherov's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Stamkos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-28 | TBL 5–2 NSH | 1G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-11-29 | TBL 3–2 NSH | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-10-28 | TBL 3–2 NSH | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 2A 6S |
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)
2.8proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.8 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to RWSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Steven Stamkos
2games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs MINOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL2.0 ptsOpp allows 3rd-most FP to CSchedule edge +13.0 win%Likely vs Casey DeSmith (.907)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Steven Stamkos 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 Steven Stamkos's 2.00. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Stamkos had 66 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, Nikita Kucherov or Steven Stamkos?
- 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 Stamkos done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 3–0. Kucherov had 3 points (1 goals) and Stamkos had 3 (0 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 →