Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 2.91 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Kucherov has no games left; Tarasenko has no games left.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 27 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Corsi 56.2%, Plus/minus +43, Fenwick 55.9%.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.018, Hits 60.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3.04
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.14 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.12 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.24 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.22 |
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 Tarasenko
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 6G 22A, 48 SOG · Tarasenko 7G 7A, 47 SOG
On the ice against each other (Kucherov's side)
5:50 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kucherov's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–5
- 64.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.7–0.4
- 63.7%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-24 | TBL 6–3 MIN | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-03 | TBL 1–5 MIN | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-04-11 | TBL 3–4 DET | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-02-08 | TBL 6–3 DET | 0G 3A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-01-25 | TBL 0–2 DET | 0G 0A 7S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-01-18 | TBL 5–1 DET | 1G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-29 · PO | TBL 1–6 FLA | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-04-27 · PO | TBL 6–3 FLA | 0G 3A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-04-25 · PO | TBL 3–5 FLA | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-04-23 · PO | TBL 2–3 FLA | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-21 · PO | TBL 2–3 FLA | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-03-16 | TBL 5–3 FLA | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 21 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 (0 left)
0.0proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSHOpp allows 13th-most FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (0 left)
0.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOSOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 2.91 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 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 Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 27 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Kucherov and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 21 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 9–12. Kucherov had 28 points (6 goals) and Tarasenko had 14 (7 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 →