Who to start · 2025-26
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins vs Tomas Hertl
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tomas Hertl projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70.
Nugent-Hopkins had 56 points in 72 games; Hertl had 58 in 82 games.
This week Nugent-Hopkins has 1 game left; Hertl has 1 left. We project Hertl for 1.7 ESPN points to Nugent-Hopkins's 1.4.
Tomas Hertl has the better number in 20 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Nugent-Hopkins's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.6, Forecheck xG /60 0.34, Top skating speed 22.8.
Hertl's biggest edges: Hits 114, Draw Equity /100 +0.096, Faceoff win % 57.8%.
Head to head on the dot, Hertl leads Nugent-Hopkins 49–48.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
1.70
fantasy points per game
Tomas Hertl
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Tomas Hertl has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nugent-Hopkins | Hertl |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.56 | 0.59 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.14 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.27 |
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: Nugent-Hopkins vs Hertl
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.
Nugent-Hopkins 12G 19A, 75 SOG · Hertl 11G 13A, 79 SOG
Nugent-Hopkins's offensive zone 10–14 · neutral 15–14 · Nugent-Hopkins's defensive zone 23–21 (2017-18 to 2025-26)
Nugent-Hopkins blocked 2 of Hertl's shots; Hertl blocked 2 of Nugent-Hopkins's.
On the ice against each other (Nugent-Hopkins's side)
9:34 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Nugent-Hopkins's side
- Shot attempts
- 8–11
- 42.1%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.5
- 42.6%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nugent-Hopkins | Hertl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-04 | EDM 1–5 VGK | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-03-26 | EDM 4–3 VGK | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2026-03-08 | EDM 4–2 VGK | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-21 | EDM 4–3 VGK | 2G 1A 2S | 1G 2A 5S |
| 2025-05-14 · PO | EDM 1–0 VGK | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-05-12 · PO | EDM 3–0 VGK | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-05-10 · PO | EDM 3–4 VGK | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2025-05-08 · PO | EDM 5–4 VGK | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-06 · PO | EDM 4–2 VGK | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-14 | EDM 6–3 VGK | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-12-03 | EDM 0–1 VGK | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-11-06 | EDM 2–4 VGK | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 32 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.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
3games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.4 pts
Tomas Hertl
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.7 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Tomas Hertl in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tomas Hertl projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70. Nugent-Hopkins had 56 points in 72 games; Hertl had 58 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, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Tomas Hertl?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Tomas Hertl leads in 20 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nugent-Hopkins and Hertl done against each other?
- In 32 games against each other in our data, Nugent-Hopkins's team went 21–11. Nugent-Hopkins had 31 points (12 goals) and Hertl had 24 (11 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Nugent-Hopkins or Hertl?
- Against each other, Nugent-Hopkins has won 48 and Hertl 49 of their 97 head-to-head draws.
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 →