Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Kucherov has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Kucherov for 2.8 ESPN points to Smith's 1.9.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 28 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: High-danger chances 56.9%, Penalty minutes 50, Fenwick 55.9%.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, Faceoffs won 15, Transition attempts /60 2.05.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.20 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.05 | 0.54 |
| 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 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.08 |
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 Smith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kucherov 0G 3A, 3 SOG · Smith 0G 0A, 2 SOG
On the ice against each other (Kucherov's side)
3:07 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Kucherov's side
- Shot attempts
- 2–5
- 28.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.1
- 15.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-20 | TBL 4–1 SJS | 0G 3A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-02 | TBL 1–2 SJS | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
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)
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 ptsOpp allows the most FP to CSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Will Smith 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 Will Smith's 1.94. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 28 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 Smith done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 1–1. Kucherov had 3 points (0 goals) and Smith had 0 (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 →