Who to start · 2025-26
Brent Burns 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 Brent Burns's 1.38.
Burns had 35 points in 82 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Burns has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Barzal for 1.4 ESPN points to Burns's 0.9.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Burns's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.90, Goals above expected +4.8, Luck Meter +60.
Barzal's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 313, Ice-time share 34.0%, Ice time per game 20:39.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brent Burns
1.37
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 | Burns | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.29 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.28 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.55 | 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: Burns vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Burns 3G 15A, 100 SOG · Barzal 8G 19A, 84 SOG
Burns blocked 7 of Barzal's shots; Barzal blocked 2 of Burns's.
On the ice against each other (Burns's side)
12:16 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Burns's side
- Shot attempts
- 15–16
- 48.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.9
- 20.3%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Burns | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-04 | COL 3–6 NYI | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 2A 4S |
| 2025-11-16 | COL 4–1 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2025-01-25 | CAR 2–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-17 | CAR 4–0 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-30 · PO | CAR 6–3 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2024-04-27 · PO | CAR 2–3 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 2G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-25 · PO | CAR 3–2 NYI | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-22 · PO | CAR 5–3 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-04-20 · PO | CAR 3–1 NYI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-03-19 | CAR 4–1 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-12-23 | CAR 4–5 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2023-11-30 | CAR 4–5 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 3A 2S |
Latest 12 of 30 meetings.
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.
Brent Burns
2games (1 left)
0.9proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL0.9 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
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 Brent Burns 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 Brent Burns's 1.38. Burns had 35 points in 82 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, Brent Burns or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 18 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Burns and Barzal done against each other?
- In 30 games against each other in our data, Burns's team went 18–12. Burns had 18 points (3 goals) and Barzal had 27 (8 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 →