Comparing Artyom Levshunov and Alexander Nikishin Head to Head

This is as close as it gets. Artyom Levshunov and Alexander Nikishin split the statistical categories evenly — 3 apiece — making this one of the most genuinely contested D comparisons in NHL history. When the numbers are this balanced, the debate comes down to which statistics matter most to you.

Alexander Nikishin's Goals of 11 compared to Artyom Levshunov's 2 represents a 450% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. Artyom Levshunov falls 98.3% below the career average of 120 in this category while Alexander Nikishin exceeds it. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Alexander Nikishin's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Games Played, where Artyom Levshunov posts 88 against Alexander Nikishin's 81 — a gap of just 8.6%. Alexander Nikishin can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 3-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Games Played is the statistical ammunition for the Alexander Nikishin side.

Defensive play in the NHL is measured through a combination of offensive contribution and plus/minus rating. Elite defensemen contribute points while anchoring their team's defensive structure — a balance that defines the position's greatest players.

With categories split evenly, this comparison ultimately comes down to which statistics matter most to you. Alexander Nikishin claims the tiebreaker through Goals advantage — a 450% edge — but reasonable people can, and do, argue both sides of this NHL debate.