Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Tim Washe
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 2.87 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Tim Washe's 1.21.
Kucherov had 130 points in 76 games; Washe had 5 in 39 games.
This week Kucherov has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Washe has 2 left. In ESPN default points scoring we project Kucherov for 5.7 to Washe's 2.3 over the games left.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 31 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Power-play share 84.4%, Power-play time per game 4:08, Points 130.
Washe's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 225, Ascension score 65, Hits 91.
In standard categories (G, A, +/-, PPP, SOG, HIT), the default in Who Should I Start, Nikita Kucherov rates ahead, +13.3 to -1.7 in summed category z-scores.
Role trend over the last 5 games: Kucherov is steady, 63% of team PP time (was 72%); Washe is rising, +1:12 TOI a game.
- • Kucherov, 2026-27 so far: 9 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 4 PPP, 26 SOG.
- • Washe, 2026-27 so far: 9 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 9 SOG.
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Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
+13.3
category z-score total
Tim Washe
-1.7
category z-score total
Under Standard (6 categories), Nikita Kucherov has the edge (Kucherov wins 5, Washe wins 1 of 6 categories).
| Category | Kucherov | Washe |
|---|---|---|
| Goals / game | 0.53 | 0.12 |
| Assists / game | 1.08 | 0.13 |
| Plus/minus / game | 0.52 | -0.05 |
| Power-play points / game | 0.47 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal / game | 2.98 | 0.90 |
| Hits / game | 0.34 | 2.83 |
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 scoring choice is shared with Who Should I Start: saved on this device, and on your account when you are signed in.
Head-to-head
Nikita Kucherov and Tim Washe have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).
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, Luck & trend, NHL EDGE tracking continue below
Every stat, side by side (continued)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
This week's schedule
Oct 19 to Oct 25. 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 cover the games left: Edgehalla's rest-of-season rates per game, adjusted for each opponent's scoring allowed, in ESPN default points.
Scored in ESPN default points (G 2, A 1, PPP 0.5, SHP 0.5, SOG 0.1, HIT 0.1, BLK 0.5). Use your league's scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3games (2 left)
5.7proj. ESPN default pts
- Tue, Oct 20 @ VGKOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
- Fri, Oct 23 @ COL2.6 ptsOpp allows 14th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)
Tim Washe
4games (2 left)
2.3proj. ESPN default pts
- Mon, Oct 19 @ NYROpp allows 6th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Dylan Garand (.948)
- Tue, Oct 20 @ NYIB2B
- Thu, Oct 22 @ NJD1.1 ptsOpp allows 16th-fewest FP to Cvs Nico Daws (.908)
- Sat, Oct 24 @ PHI1.2 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Tim Washe in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 2.87 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Tim Washe's 1.21. Kucherov had 130 points in 76 games; Washe had 5 in 39 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 Tim Washe?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 31 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
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 →