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Who to start · 2025-26

Charlie McAvoy vs Mathew Barzal

In 2025-26, Charlie McAvoy scored 2.41 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.

McAvoy had 61 points in 69 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.

This week McAvoy has 2 games left with 1 tough matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project McAvoy for 3.8 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.

Mathew Barzal has the better number in 20 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

McAvoy's biggest edges: Luck Meter +70, Transition attempts /60 0.56, Goals above expected +1.2.

Barzal's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Forecheck xG /60 0.36, Offensive-zone start % 62.4%.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Charlie McAvoy

2.41

fantasy points per game

Mathew Barzal

1.82

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Charlie McAvoy has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMcAvoyBarzal
Goals (+2)0.320.47
Assists (+1)0.720.65
Power-play points (+0.5)0.160.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.160.23
Hits (+0.1)0.110.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.930.31

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

Charlie McAvoy and Mathew Barzal have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

McAvoyBarzal

Fantasy box score

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.

Charlie McAvoy

3games (2 left)

3.8proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 9th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG2.1 pts
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.7 pts
    Opp allows 6th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)

Mathew Barzal

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.4 pts
    Opp allows 8th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)

FAQ

Should I start Charlie McAvoy or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
In 2025-26, Charlie McAvoy scored 2.41 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. McAvoy had 61 points in 69 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, Charlie McAvoy or Mathew Barzal?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 20 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →