Who to start · 2025-26
Charlie McAvoy vs Pavel Zacha
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Charlie McAvoy projects to 2.41 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.
McAvoy had 61 points in 69 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.
This week McAvoy has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project McAvoy for 1.7 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.
Charlie McAvoy has the better number in 20 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
McAvoy's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.56, 20+ mph bursts 75, Blocked shots 129.
Zacha's biggest edges: Hardest shot 93.0, Goals above expected +7.4, Offensive-zone time 42.4%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Charlie McAvoy
2.41
fantasy points per game
Pavel Zacha
1.78
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Charlie McAvoy has the edge.
| Points per game from | McAvoy | Zacha |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.32 | 0.77 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.72 | 0.45 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.16 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.17 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.93 | 0.17 |
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: McAvoy 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.
McAvoy 1G 5A, 30 SOG · Zacha 3G 2A, 29 SOG
McAvoy blocked 0 of Zacha's shots; Zacha blocked 5 of McAvoy's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
356:41 at 5-on-5 over 73 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 333–338
- 49.6%
- Expected goals
- 16.3–15.2
- 51.8%
- Goals
- 23–18
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McAvoy | Zacha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-11-13 | BOS 5–2 NJD | 0G 3A 3S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2021-05-04 | BOS 3–4 NJD | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2021-05-03 | BOS 3–0 NJD | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2021-03-30 | BOS 5–4 NJD | 1G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2021-03-28 | BOS 0–1 NJD | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-02-18 | BOS 2–3 NJD | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2021-03-07 | BOS 0–1 NJD | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2021-01-16 | BOS 1–2 NJD | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2021-01-14 | BOS 3–2 NJD | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-11-19 | BOS 5–1 NJD | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-10-12 | BOS 3–0 NJD | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2019-03-21 | BOS 5–1 NJD | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
Latest 12 of 14 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.
Charlie McAvoy
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 9th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGOpp allows 8th-most FP to DLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.7 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
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 Charlie McAvoy or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Charlie McAvoy projects to 2.41 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. McAvoy had 61 points in 69 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, Charlie McAvoy or Pavel Zacha?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Charlie McAvoy leads in 20 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have McAvoy and Zacha done against each other?
- In 14 games against each other in our data, McAvoy's team went 9–5. McAvoy had 6 points (1 goals) and Zacha had 5 (3 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 →