Who to start · 2025-26
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70.
Nugent-Hopkins had 56 points in 72 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Nugent-Hopkins has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left. We project Nugent-Hopkins for 1.7 ESPN points to Smith's 1.7.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has the better number in 20 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Nugent-Hopkins's biggest edges: High-danger chances 54.8%, Blocked shots 31, Top skating speed 22.8.
Smith's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1033, Plus/minus +1, Luck Meter +40.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
1.70
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.68
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nugent-Hopkins | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.56 | 0.70 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.51 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.09 |
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 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.
Nugent-Hopkins 1G 2A, 12 SOG · Smith 0G 3A, 12 SOG
Nugent-Hopkins's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–0 · Nugent-Hopkins's defensive zone 2–2 (2024-25 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Nugent-Hopkins's side)
15:38 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Nugent-Hopkins's side
- Shot attempts
- 15–16
- 48.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.8
- 40.1%
- Goals
- 0–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nugent-Hopkins | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-08 | EDM 5–2 SJS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2026-03-17 | EDM 5–3 SJS | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-02-28 | EDM 4–5 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2026-01-29 | EDM 4–3 SJS | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-04-16 | EDM 3–0 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-04-03 | EDM 3–2 SJS | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-12-21 | EDM 3–2 SJS | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
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)
1.7proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.7 pts
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 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's 1.70. Nugent-Hopkins had 56 points in 72 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, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins leads in 20 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nugent-Hopkins and Smith done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Nugent-Hopkins's team went 6–1. Nugent-Hopkins had 3 points (1 goals) and Smith had 3 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Nugent-Hopkins or Smith?
- Against each other, Nugent-Hopkins has won 2 and Smith 2 of their 4 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 →