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Who to start · 2025-26

Braden Schneider vs Pavel Zacha

Braden SchneiderBraden SchneiderRangers · DefencevsPavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Braden Schneider's 1.38.

Schneider had 18 points in 82 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.

This week Schneider has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Schneider for 1.2 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Pavel Zacha has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Schneider's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 −0.14, Blocked shots 140, Hits 163.

Zacha's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.4, Luck Meter +68, Goals 30.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Braden Schneider

1.38

fantasy points per game

Pavel Zacha

1.70

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Pavel Zacha has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchneiderZacha
Goals (+2)0.040.68
Assists (+1)0.160.40
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.140.18
Hits (+0.1)0.220.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.820.24

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: Schneider vs Zacha

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

SchneiderZacha
6Team record in 12 meetings6
4Points in those games9

Schneider 0G 4A, 18 SOG · Zacha 5G 4A, 20 SOG

1Hits on each other2
1Shots blocked by the other0

Schneider blocked 1 of Zacha's shots; Zacha blocked 0 of Schneider's.

On the ice against each other (Schneider's side)

10:41 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27, from Schneider's side

Shot attempts
8–7
53.3%
Expected goals
0.2–0.2
51.4%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Braden Schneider and Pavel Zacha
DateScoreSchneiderZacha
2026-09-29NYR 0–3 BOS0G 0A 2S0G 0A 3S
2026-01-26NYR 4–3 BOS0G 0A 1S0G 0A 2S
2026-01-10NYR 2–10 BOS0G 0A 3S3G 0A 3S
2025-02-05NYR 3–2 BOS0G 0A 1S0G 1A 2S
2025-02-01NYR 3–6 BOS0G 0A 1S1G 1A 1S
2025-01-02NYR 2–1 BOS0G 0A 0S0G 0A 1S
2024-03-21NYR 5–2 BOS0G 1A 1S0G 0A 2S
2023-11-25NYR 7–4 BOS0G 1A 4S0G 1A 1S
2023-03-04NYR 2–4 BOS0G 0A 3S0G 0A 1S
2023-01-19NYR 1–3 BOS0G 1A 1S1G 0A 1S
2022-11-03NYR 2–5 BOS0G 0A 1S0G 1A 1S
2022-04-05NYR 3–1 NJD0G 1A 0S0G 0A 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.

SchneiderZacha

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.

Braden Schneider

4games (1 left)

1.2proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
    Opp allows 8th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to DLikely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2B
    Opp allows 15th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.2 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%Likely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Braden Schneider or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Braden Schneider's 1.38. Schneider had 18 points in 82 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 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, Braden Schneider or Pavel Zacha?
On 2025-26 numbers, Pavel Zacha leads in 26 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Schneider and Zacha done against each other?
In 12 games against each other in our data, Schneider's team went 6–6. Schneider had 4 points (0 goals) and Zacha had 9 (5 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 →