Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Tage Thompson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Tage Thompson's 2.26.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Thompson had 81 in 81 games.
This week Kucherov has 1 game left; Thompson has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 3.0 ESPN points to Thompson's 2.4.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Goals above expected +3.9, Plus/minus +43, Scoring chances 56.4%.
Thompson's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 390, Hits 85, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.008.
- • 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
Tage Thompson
2.26
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Thompson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.20 | 0.93 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.05 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.23 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.10 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.28 |
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 Thompson
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 11G 21A, 69 SOG · Thompson 11G 9A, 57 SOG
Kucherov blocked 0 of Thompson's shots; Thompson blocked 1 of Kucherov's.
On the ice against each other (Kucherov's side)
13:09 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Kucherov's side
- Shot attempts
- 17–12
- 58.6%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–1.1
- 50.0%
- Goals
- 3–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-06 | TBL 2–4 BUF | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-03-08 | TBL 7–8 BUF | 2G 1A 5S | 0G 4A 3S |
| 2026-02-28 | TBL 2–6 BUF | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2026-02-03 | TBL 4–3 BUF | 1G 3A 7S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2025-04-13 | TBL 7–4 BUF | 2G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-04-05 | TBL 2–3 BUF | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-03-06 | TBL 6–5 BUF | 0G 2A 1S | 1G 0A 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 0A 3S |
| 2024-01-20 | TBL 3–1 BUF | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-10-17 | TBL 2–3 BUF | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2023-02-23 | TBL 5–6 BUF | 0G 1A 6S | 3G 0A 4S |
Latest 12 of 20 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%
Tage Thompson
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJ
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI2.4 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Tage Thompson 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 Tage Thompson's 2.26. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Thompson had 81 in 81 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 Tage Thompson?
- 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 Thompson done against each other?
- In 20 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 10–10. Kucherov had 32 points (11 goals) and Thompson had 20 (11 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 →