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Who to start · 2025-26

Connor Bedard vs Pavel Zacha

Connor BedardConnor BedardBlackhawks · CentrevsPavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor Bedard projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.

Bedard had 75 points in 69 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.

This week Bedard has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Bedard for 2.4 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Pavel Zacha has the better number in 18 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.

Bedard's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 66.6%, Transition attempts /60 1.85, 20+ mph bursts 195.

Zacha's biggest edges: Plus/minus +4, Goals above expected +7.4, Fenwick 49.2%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Connor Bedard

2.24

fantasy points per game

Pavel Zacha

1.78

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Connor Bedard has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromBedardZacha
Goals (+2)0.870.77
Assists (+1)0.650.45
Power-play points (+0.5)0.150.14
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.330.17
Hits (+0.1)0.040.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.200.17

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: Bedard vs Zacha

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.

BedardZacha
1Team record in 6 meetings5
5Points in those games4

Bedard 2G 3A, 18 SOG · Zacha 1G 3A, 8 SOG

2Faceoffs against each other4

Bedard's offensive zone 1–3 · neutral 1–0 · Bedard's defensive zone 0–1 (2023-24 to 2024-25)

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

13:07 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Bedard's side

Shot attempts
12–13
48.0%
Expected goals
0.4–1.1
25.6%
Goals
0–3

Games against each other

Games between Connor Bedard and Pavel Zacha
DateScoreBedardZacha
2026-01-17CHI 2–5 BOS0G 1A 6S0G 2A 3S
2025-10-09CHI 3–4 BOS1G 1A 2S0G 1A 0S
2025-04-10CHI 5–2 BOS0G 1A 2S0G 0A 0S
2024-12-04CHI 2–4 BOS0G 0A 2S0G 0A 1S
2023-10-24CHI 0–3 BOS0G 0A 0S1G 0A 1S
2023-10-11CHI 1–3 BOS1G 0A 6S0G 0A 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.

BedardZacha

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 14th-fewest FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF2.4 pts
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to C
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Connor Bedard or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor Bedard projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Bedard had 75 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, Connor Bedard or Pavel Zacha?
On 2025-26 numbers, Pavel Zacha leads in 18 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 Zacha done against each other?
In 6 games against each other in our data, Bedard's team went 1–5. Bedard had 5 points (2 goals) and Zacha had 4 (1 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, Bedard or Zacha?
Against each other, Bedard has won 2 and Zacha 4 of their 6 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 →