Who to start · 2025-26
Connor McDavid vs Ivan Barbashev
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59.
McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Barbashev had 61 in 82 games.
This week McDavid has 1 game left; Barbashev has 1 left. We project McDavid for 3.2 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.6.
Connor McDavid has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
McDavid's biggest edges: Ascension score 62, Transition attempts /60 2.12, Power-play share 88.5%.
Barbashev's biggest edges: Hits 137, Hardest shot 87.4, On-ice PDO 1013.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 2 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor McDavid
3.45
fantasy points per game
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor McDavid has the edge.
| Points per game from | McDavid | Barbashev |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.15 | 0.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 1.32 | 0.53 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.35 | 0.03 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.18 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 0.20 |
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: McDavid vs Barbashev
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
McDavid 15G 27A, 116 SOG · Barbashev 10G 14A, 52 SOG
McDavid's offensive zone 0–1 · neutral 0–0 · McDavid's defensive zone 2–5 (2018-19 to 2024-25)
McDavid blocked 1 of Barbashev's shots; Barbashev blocked 0 of McDavid's.
On the ice against each other (McDavid's side)
26:40 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from McDavid's side
- Shot attempts
- 28–27
- 50.9%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–1.4
- 42.7%
- Goals
- 2–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McDavid | Barbashev |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-04 | EDM 1–5 VGK | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 2A 0S |
| 2026-03-26 | EDM 4–3 VGK | 1G 2A 2S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2026-03-08 | EDM 4–2 VGK | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-21 | EDM 4–3 VGK | 1G 2A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-14 · PO | EDM 1–0 VGK | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-12 · PO | EDM 3–0 VGK | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-10 · PO | EDM 3–4 VGK | 1G 1A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-05-08 · PO | EDM 5–4 VGK | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-05-06 · PO | EDM 4–2 VGK | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-12-14 | EDM 6–3 VGK | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2024-12-03 | EDM 0–1 VGK | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-06 | EDM 2–4 VGK | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 3A 1S |
Latest 12 of 32 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.
Connor McDavid
3games (1 left)
3.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA3.2 pts
Ivan Barbashev
3games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.6 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor McDavid or Ivan Barbashev in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor McDavid projects to 3.45 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59. McDavid had 138 points in 82 games; Barbashev had 61 in 82 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 McDavid or Ivan Barbashev?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor McDavid leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have McDavid and Barbashev done against each other?
- In 32 games against each other in our data, McDavid's team went 17–15. McDavid had 42 points (15 goals) and Barbashev had 24 (10 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, McDavid or Barbashev?
- Against each other, McDavid has won 2 and Barbashev 6 of their 8 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 →