Who to start · 2025-26
Collin Graf 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 Collin Graf's 1.35.
Graf had 46 points in 81 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Graf has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Graf for 1.4 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Graf's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.0, Hits 88, Luck Meter +52.
Barzal's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Penalty minutes 61, Fenwick 51.7%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Collin Graf
1.40
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 | Graf | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.52 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.31 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 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: Graf vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Graf 1G 1A, 7 SOG · Barzal 1G 3A, 7 SOG
On the ice against each other (Graf's side)
6:23 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Graf's side
- Shot attempts
- 8–7
- 53.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–1.0
- 43.9%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Graf | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-07 | SJS 1–2 NYI | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-10-21 | SJS 3–4 NYI | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-18 | SJS 1–4 NYI | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 3S |
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.
Collin Graf
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Akira Schmid (.892)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to RWSchedule edge +3.3 win%Likely vs Anton Forsberg (.910)
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 Collin Graf 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 Collin Graf's 1.35. Graf had 46 points in 81 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, Collin Graf or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 22 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Graf and Barzal done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Graf's team went 0–3. Graf had 2 points (1 goals) and Barzal had 4 (1 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 →