Who to start · 2025-26
Chandler Stephenson vs Ivan Barbashev
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ivan Barbashev projects to 1.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47.
Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Barbashev had 61 in 82 games.
This week Stephenson has 2 games left; Barbashev has 1 left. We project Stephenson for 2.5 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.5.
Ivan Barbashev has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Stephenson's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 759, Ascension score 51, 20+ mph bursts 169.
Barbashev's biggest edges: High-danger chances 57.9%, Sequence xG 57.2%, Expected goals 57.3%.
Head to head on the dot, Stephenson leads Barbashev 9–6.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chandler Stephenson
1.47
fantasy points per game
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Ivan Barbashev has the edge.
| Points per game from | Stephenson | Barbashev |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.39 | 0.53 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.12 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.33 | 0.20 |
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: Stephenson vs Barbashev
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.
Stephenson 4G 11A, 27 SOG · Barbashev 5G 5A, 31 SOG
Stephenson's offensive zone 2–3 · neutral 4–3 · Stephenson's defensive zone 3–0 (2018-19 to 2025-26)
Stephenson blocked 1 of Barbashev's shots; Barbashev blocked 0 of Stephenson's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (Stephenson's side)
32:02 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Stephenson's side
- Shot attempts
- 25–46
- 35.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–2.4
- 17.7%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Stephenson | Barbashev |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-15 | SEA 1–4 VGK | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-04-09 | SEA 4–3 VGK | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2026-01-31 | SEA 3–2 VGK | 0G 2A 0S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-11 | SEA 2–1 VGK | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-04-10 | SEA 1–2 VGK | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-08 | SEA 4–3 VGK | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2022-12-23 | VGK 5–4 STL | 1G 3A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-12 | VGK 2–3 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2022-04-29 | VGK 7–4 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2021-11-22 | VGK 2–5 STL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2021-10-20 | VGK 1–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2021-05-08 | VGK 4–1 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
Latest 12 of 22 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.
Chandler Stephenson
3games (2 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGY
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.2 pts
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.2 pts
Ivan Barbashev
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.5 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chandler Stephenson or Ivan Barbashev in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ivan Barbashev projects to 1.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47. Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Barbashev had 61 in 82 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, Chandler Stephenson or Ivan Barbashev?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Ivan Barbashev leads in 20 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Stephenson and Barbashev done against each other?
- In 22 games against each other in our data, Stephenson's team went 12–10. Stephenson had 15 points (4 goals) and Barbashev had 10 (5 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Stephenson or Barbashev?
- Against each other, Stephenson has won 9 and Barbashev 6 of their 15 head-to-head draws.
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 →