Who to start · 2025-26
Alexander Nikishin vs Mathew Barzal
In 2025-26, Mathew Barzal scored 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.
Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Nikishin's biggest edges: Hits 132, Goals above expected +2.8, Hardest shot 99.4.
Barzal's biggest edges: Ice-time share 34.0%, Ice time per game 20:39, Penalty minutes 61.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alexander Nikishin
1.50
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nikishin | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.27 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.06 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.58 | 0.31 |
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: Nikishin vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Nikishin 0G 1A, 2 SOG · Barzal 0G 2A, 5 SOG
On the ice against each other (Nikishin's side)
5:43 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side
- Shot attempts
- 3–8
- 27.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.6
- 18.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nikishin | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-14 | CAR 2–1 NYI | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2026-04-04 | CAR 4–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
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.
Alexander Nikishin
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 13th-most FP to D
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Mathew Barzal
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.4 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to C
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- In 2025-26, Mathew Barzal scored 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 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, Alexander Nikishin or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 17 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nikishin and Barzal done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 2–0. Nikishin had 1 points (0 goals) and Barzal had 2 (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 →