Who to start · 2025-26
Bobby McMann vs Mathew Barzal
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bobby McMann's 1.54.
McMann had 46 points in 78 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week McMann has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project McMann for 3.6 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 24 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
McMann's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.34, Hits 165, Goals above expected +5.6.
Barzal's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Forecheck xG /60 0.36, Fenwick 51.7%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bobby McMann
1.62
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 | McMann | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.74 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.22 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.04 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.17 | 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: McMann vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
McMann 4G 1A, 18 SOG · Barzal 3G 8A, 22 SOG
On the ice against each other (McMann's side)
9:35 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from McMann's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–14
- 33.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.9
- 24.8%
- Goals
- 1–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McMann | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | TOR 3–4 NYI | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2025-01-02 | TOR 2–1 NYI | 2G 0A 6S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2024-12-31 | TOR 3–1 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-12-21 | TOR 3–6 NYI | 1G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2024-02-05 | TOR 2–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2024-01-11 | TOR 3–4 NYI | 1G 0A 2S | 1G 3A 5S |
| 2023-01-23 | TOR 5–2 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 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.
Bobby McMann
3games (2 left)
3.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGYOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.8 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.8 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
Mathew Barzal
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.4 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bobby McMann or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bobby McMann's 1.54. McMann had 46 points in 78 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, Bobby McMann or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 24 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have McMann and Barzal done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, McMann's team went 3–4. McMann had 5 points (4 goals) and Barzal had 11 (3 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 →