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Who to start · 2025-26

Ryan O'Reilly vs Zach Werenski

Ryan O'ReillyRyan O'ReillyPredators · CentrevsZach WerenskiZach WerenskiBlue Jackets · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan O'Reilly's 1.90.

O'Reilly had 74 points in 81 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.

This week O'Reilly has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Werenski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project O'Reilly for 2.0 ESPN points to Werenski's 1.9.

Zach Werenski has the better number in 25 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

O'Reilly's biggest edges: Blocked shots 66, On-ice PDO 1023, Penalty minutes 22.

Werenski's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.01, Top skating speed 23.1, 20+ mph bursts 123.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Ryan O'Reilly

1.90

fantasy points per game

Zach Werenski

2.59

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Zach Werenski has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromO'ReillyWerenski
Goals (+2)0.580.55
Assists (+1)0.570.86
Power-play points (+0.5)0.120.16
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.020.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.200.34
Hits (+0.1)0.030.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.380.62

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: O'Reilly 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.

O'ReillyWerenski
9Team record in 15 meetings6
11Points in those games8

O'Reilly 2G 9A, 32 SOG · Werenski 2G 6A, 44 SOG

1Penalties drawn off the other0

On the ice against each other (O'Reilly's side)

6:05 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from O'Reilly's side

Shot attempts
11–8
57.9%
Expected goals
0.7–0.3
68.2%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Ryan O'Reilly and Zach Werenski
DateScoreO'ReillyWerenski
2025-10-09NSH 2–1 CBJ1G 0A 2S0G 0A 5S
2025-04-01NSH 4–8 CBJ0G 1A 1S0G 2A 4S
2024-10-26NSH 4–3 CBJ0G 1A 2S1G 0A 4S
2024-04-13NSH 6–4 CBJ0G 1A 0S0G 0A 0S
2024-03-09NSH 2–1 CBJ0G 0A 1S0G 0A 1S
2022-10-15STL 5–2 CBJ0G 0A 0S0G 0A 5S
2022-03-19STL 4–5 CBJ0G 0A 0S0G 0A 6S
2021-11-27STL 6–3 CBJ0G 1A 2S0G 1A 5S
2019-11-15STL 2–3 CBJ0G 0A 3S1G 0A 5S
2019-11-01STL 4–3 CBJ0G 1A 1S0G 0A 1S
2019-02-02STL 4–2 CBJ1G 1A 5S0G 0A 0S
2018-10-25STL 4–7 CBJ0G 1A 3S0G 2A 0S

Latest 12 of 15 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.

O'ReillyWerenski

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 O'Reilly

2games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs MIN
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs DAL2.0 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to CSchedule edge +13.0 win%Likely vs Casey DeSmith (.907)

Zach Werenski

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to DLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.9 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Ryan O'Reilly or Zach Werenski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan O'Reilly's 1.90. O'Reilly had 74 points in 81 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, Ryan O'Reilly or Zach Werenski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Zach Werenski leads in 25 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have O'Reilly and Werenski done against each other?
In 15 games against each other in our data, O'Reilly's team went 9–6. O'Reilly had 11 points (2 goals) and Werenski had 8 (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 →