Who to start · 2025-26
Roman Josi vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Roman Josi projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94.
Josi had 55 points in 68 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Josi has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left. We project Josi for 2.2 ESPN points to Smith's 1.7.
Roman Josi has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Josi's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Blocked shots 101, High-danger chances 51.4%.
Smith's biggest edges: Plus/minus +1, Ascension score 64, On-ice PDO 1033.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Roman Josi
2.24
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Roman Josi has the edge.
| Points per game from | Josi | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.48 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.58 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.27 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.70 | 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: Josi 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.
Josi 2G 5A, 17 SOG · Smith 2G 3A, 12 SOG
On the ice against each other (Josi's side)
29:21 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Josi's side
- Shot attempts
- 24–33
- 42.1%
- Expected goals
- 1.6–1.9
- 45.6%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Josi | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-13 | NSH 2–3 SJS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2026-04-04 | NSH 6–3 SJS | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-03-24 | NSH 6–3 SJS | 1G 0A 3S | 2G 0A 6S |
| 2025-01-23 | NSH 6–5 SJS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-21 | NSH 7–5 SJS | 1G 1A 6S | 0G 1A 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.
Roman Josi
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs MIN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL2.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.7 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Roman Josi or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Roman Josi projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94. Josi had 55 points in 68 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, Roman Josi or Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Roman Josi leads in 17 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Josi and Smith done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Josi's team went 4–1. Josi had 7 points (2 goals) and Smith 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 →