Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Connor Bedard vs Mika Zibanejad

Connor BedardConnor BedardBlackhawks · CentrevsMika ZibanejadMika ZibanejadRangers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Connor Bedard's 2.24.

Bedard had 75 points in 69 games; Zibanejad had 78 in 81 games.

This week Bedard has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Zibanejad has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Bedard for 2.4 ESPN points to Zibanejad's 1.5.

Mika Zibanejad has the better number in 23 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.

Bedard's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 50, Transition attempts /60 1.85, 20+ mph bursts 195.

Zibanejad's biggest edges: High-danger chances 53.8%, Scoring chances 50.5%, Hits 105.

Head to head on the dot, Zibanejad leads Bedard 8–5.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Connor Bedard

2.24

fantasy points per game

Mika Zibanejad

2.31

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mika Zibanejad has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromBedardZibanejad
Goals (+2)0.870.84
Assists (+1)0.650.54
Power-play points (+0.5)0.150.22
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.330.27
Hits (+0.1)0.040.13
Blocks (+0.5)0.200.31

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: Bedard vs Zibanejad

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

BedardZibanejad
2Team record in 5 meetings3
4Points in those games2

Bedard 1G 3A, 10 SOG · Zibanejad 0G 2A, 9 SOG

5Faceoffs against each other8

Bedard's offensive zone 1–1 · neutral 1–6 · Bedard's defensive zone 3–1 (2023-24 to 2025-26)

On the ice against each other (Bedard's side)

10:16 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Bedard's side

Shot attempts
8–13
38.1%
Expected goals
0.5–0.4
53.8%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Connor Bedard and Mika Zibanejad
DateScoreBedardZibanejad
2026-03-27CHI 1–6 NYR0G 0A 3S0G 0A 3S
2025-12-10CHI 3–0 NYR1G 1A 3S0G 0A 3S
2025-01-05CHI 2–6 NYR0G 1A 0S0G 1A 1S
2024-12-09CHI 2–1 NYR0G 1A 1S0G 0A 2S
2024-01-04CHI 1–4 NYR0G 0A 3S0G 1A 0S

Every stat, side by side

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

BedardZibanejad

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Connor Bedard

3games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF2.4 pts
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%

Mika Zibanejad

4games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
    Opp allows 3rd-fewest FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to C
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2B
    Schedule edge −9.3 win%
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.5 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Connor Bedard or Mika Zibanejad in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Connor Bedard's 2.24. Bedard had 75 points in 69 games; Zibanejad had 78 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, Connor Bedard or Mika Zibanejad?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mika Zibanejad leads in 23 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Bedard and Zibanejad done against each other?
In 5 games against each other in our data, Bedard's team went 2–3. Bedard had 4 points (1 goals) and Zibanejad had 2 (0 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, Bedard or Zibanejad?
Against each other, Bedard has won 5 and Zibanejad 8 of their 13 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 →