Who to start · 2025-26
Chandler Stephenson vs Pavel Zacha
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Chandler Stephenson's 1.47.
Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.
This week Stephenson has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Stephenson for 2.9 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.
Pavel Zacha has the better number in 25 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Stephenson's biggest edges: Blocked shots 56, 20+ mph bursts 169, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.23.
Zacha's biggest edges: Plus/minus +4, Hardest shot 93.0, Fenwick 49.2%.
Head to head on the dot, Stephenson leads Zacha 14–11.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Chandler Stephenson
1.47
fantasy points per game
Pavel Zacha
1.70
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Pavel Zacha has the edge.
| Points per game from | Stephenson | Zacha |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.50 | 0.68 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.39 | 0.40 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.09 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.12 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.33 | 0.24 |
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: Stephenson vs Zacha
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 5A, 17 SOG · Zacha 0G 6A, 29 SOG
Stephenson's offensive zone 2–4 · neutral 7–1 · Stephenson's defensive zone 5–6 (2017-18 to 2025-26)
Stephenson blocked 1 of Zacha's shots; Zacha blocked 0 of Stephenson's.
On the ice against each other (Stephenson's side)
7:25 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Stephenson's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–7
- 46.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.4
- 29.5%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Stephenson | Zacha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-15 | SEA 2–4 BOS | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2026-01-06 | SEA 7–4 BOS | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-12-12 | SEA 5–1 BOS | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-03 | SEA 0–2 BOS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-02-29 | VGK 4–5 BOS | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-01-11 | VGK 2–1 BOS | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-12-11 | VGK 1–3 BOS | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-12-05 | VGK 4–3 BOS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-04-18 | VGK 2–3 NJD | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2021-12-16 | VGK 5–3 NJD | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2020-03-03 | VGK 3–0 NJD | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2019-12-03 | VGK 4–3 NJD | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
Latest 12 of 17 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)
2.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGYOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.5 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.5 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
Pavel Zacha
3games (1 left)
1.0proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGOpp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 ptsOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Chandler Stephenson 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 Chandler Stephenson's 1.47. Stephenson had 49 points in 80 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, Chandler Stephenson or Pavel Zacha?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Pavel Zacha leads in 25 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Stephenson and Zacha done against each other?
- In 17 games against each other in our data, Stephenson's team went 10–7. Stephenson had 9 points (4 goals) and Zacha had 6 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Stephenson or Zacha?
- Against each other, Stephenson has won 14 and Zacha 11 of their 25 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 →