Who to start · 2025-26
Pavel Buchnevich vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30.
Buchnevich had 48 points in 81 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Buchnevich has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Tarasenko has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Buchnevich for 1.5 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.2.
Pavel Buchnevich has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Buchnevich's biggest edges: Corsi 49.7%, Penalty minutes 26, Faceoffs won 98.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37, Luck Meter +35, Goals above expected +4.0.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Pavel Buchnevich
1.39
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Vladimir Tarasenko has the edge.
| Points per game from | Buchnevich | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.35 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.09 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.25 | 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: Buchnevich 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.
Buchnevich 4G 6A, 23 SOG · Tarasenko 2G 3A, 31 SOG
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (Buchnevich's side)
12:43 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Buchnevich's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–10
- 47.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–0.1
- 88.6%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Buchnevich | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-13 | STL 6–3 MIN | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2026-03-01 | STL 3–1 MIN | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-10-09 | STL 0–5 MIN | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-04-01 | STL 2–1 DET | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-12-23 | STL 4–0 DET | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-12-14 | STL 4–2 OTT | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-04-06 | STL 3–2 NYR | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 6S |
| 2019-03-29 | NYR 4–2 STL | 1G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2018-12-31 | NYR 2–1 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2018-03-17 | NYR 3–4 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2017-10-10 | NYR 1–3 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
Pavel Buchnevich
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DALOpp allows 11th-most FP to LWLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.5 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.4 win%Likely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.2 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Pavel Buchnevich or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vladimir Tarasenko projects to 1.52 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30. Buchnevich had 48 points in 81 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, Pavel Buchnevich or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Pavel Buchnevich leads in 22 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Buchnevich and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Buchnevich's team went 8–3. Buchnevich had 10 points (4 goals) and Tarasenko had 5 (2 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 →