Who to start · 2025-26
Nikita Kucherov vs Zach Werenski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Zach Werenski's 2.59.
Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.
This week Kucherov has 1 game left; Werenski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Kucherov for 2.5 ESPN points to Werenski's 1.9.
Nikita Kucherov has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 50, On-ice PDO 1046, Plus/minus +43.
Werenski's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Top skating speed 23.1, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.09.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Zach Werenski
2.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kucherov | Werenski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.20 | 0.55 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.05 | 0.86 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.23 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.29 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.62 |
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 Werenski
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 11G 28A, 75 SOG · Werenski 6G 14A, 54 SOG
Kucherov blocked 0 of Werenski's shots; Werenski blocked 7 of Kucherov's.
On the ice against each other (Kucherov's side)
12:17 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kucherov's side
- Shot attempts
- 17–12
- 58.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.6
- 37.0%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kucherov | Werenski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-10 | TBL 2–5 CBJ | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 2A 0S |
| 2026-01-24 | TBL 5–8 CBJ | 1G 3A 3S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2025-03-04 | TBL 6–2 CBJ | 1G 2A 7S | 2G 0A 4S |
| 2024-12-17 | TBL 5–3 CBJ | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-21 | TBL 6–7 CBJ | 0G 3A 6S | 2G 3A 8S |
| 2024-04-09 | TBL 5–2 CBJ | 0G 3A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-02-10 | TBL 4–2 CBJ | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2023-11-02 | TBL 2–4 CBJ | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-10-14 | TBL 5–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-04-26 | TBL 4–1 CBJ | 1G 3A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2020-02-10 | TBL 2–1 CBJ | 2G 0A 8S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2019-04-16 · PO | TBL 3–7 CBJ | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
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)
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)
Zach Werenski
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 8th-most FP to DLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.9 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nikita Kucherov or Zach Werenski 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 Zach Werenski's 2.59. Kucherov had 130 points in 77 games; Werenski had 81 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 Zach Werenski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nikita Kucherov leads in 22 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 Werenski done against each other?
- In 20 games against each other in our data, Kucherov's team went 13–7. Kucherov had 39 points (11 goals) and Werenski had 20 (6 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 →