Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Wyatt Johnston
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Wyatt Johnston's 2.51.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Johnston had 86 in 82 games.
This week Kucherov has 1 game left; Johnston has 2 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Johnston for 4.6 ESPN points to Kucherov's 2.5.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 25 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Corsi 56.2%, Fenwick 55.9%, Plus/minus +43.
Johnston's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 402, Blocked shots 55, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.003.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3.04
fantasy points per game
Wyatt Johnston
2.51
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.14 | 1.10 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.12 | 0.50 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.24 | 0.26 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.34 |
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 Johnston
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kucherov 1G 5A, 31 SOG · Johnston 0G 2A, 21 SOG
On the ice against each other (Kucherov's side)
13:10 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kucherov's side
- Shot attempts
- 18–9
- 66.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.5
- 63.9%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Johnston |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-18 | TBL 4–1 DAL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-10-30 | TBL 2–1 DAL | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-03-20 | TBL 3–2 DAL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-11-23 | TBL 2–4 DAL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-12-04 | TBL 4–0 DAL | 1G 1A 6S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-12-02 | TBL 1–8 DAL | 0G 1A 6S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-02-11 | TBL 3–1 DAL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-15 | TBL 5–4 DAL | 0G 0A 7S | 0G 0A 3S |
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)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 13th-most FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.5 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Wyatt Johnston
2games
4.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STL2.1 ptsSchedule edge +3.5 win%Likely vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B2.5 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to CSchedule edge −12.3 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Wyatt Johnston 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 Wyatt Johnston's 2.51. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Johnston had 86 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 Wyatt Johnston?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 25 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 Johnston done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 6–2. Kucherov had 6 points (1 goals) and Johnston had 2 (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 →