Who to start · 2025-26
Will Smith vs Zach Werenski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Will Smith's 1.94.
Smith had 59 points in 69 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.
This week Smith has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Werenski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Smith for 1.9 ESPN points to Werenski's 1.9.
Zach Werenski has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, On-ice PDO 1033, Offensive-zone start % 68.9%.
Werenski's biggest edges: High-danger chances 55.3%, Top skating speed 23.1, Faceoffs won 0.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Zach Werenski
2.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Zach Werenski has the edge.
| Points per game from | Smith | Werenski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.90 | 0.55 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.54 | 0.86 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.08 | 0.62 |
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: Smith vs Werenski
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.
Smith 0G 3A, 5 SOG · Werenski 0G 1A, 13 SOG
On the ice against each other (Smith's side)
8:46 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Smith's side
- Shot attempts
- 12–6
- 66.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.2
- 68.3%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Smith | Werenski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-28 | SJS 3–2 CBJ | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-01-16 | SJS 1–4 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 7S |
| 2024-11-05 | SJS 2–1 CBJ | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
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.
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 ptsOpp allows the most FP to CSchedule edge +3.4 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
Zach Werenski
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 11th-most FP to DLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.9 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Will Smith 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 Will Smith's 1.94. Smith had 59 points in 69 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, Will Smith or Zach Werenski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Zach Werenski leads in 24 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Smith and Werenski done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Smith's team went 2–1. Smith had 3 points (0 goals) and Werenski had 1 (0 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 →