Who to start · 2025-26
David Pastrnak vs Matthew Schaefer
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, David Pastrnak projects to 2.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matthew Schaefer's 2.02.
Pastrnak had 100 points in 77 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.
This week Pastrnak has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Pastrnak's 1.8.
Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Pastrnak's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 72, Hardest shot 93.1, Hits 86.
Schaefer's biggest edges: Goals above expected +3.8, Faceoffs won 0, Top skating speed 23.1.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 8 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
David Pastrnak
2.44
fantasy points per game
Matthew Schaefer
2.02
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, David Pastrnak has the edge.
| Points per game from | Pastrnak | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.66 | 0.53 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.93 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.18 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.67 |
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: Pastrnak vs Schaefer
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Pastrnak 1G 2A, 6 SOG · Schaefer 0G 2A, 17 SOG
On the ice against each other (Pastrnak's side)
14:54 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Pastrnak's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–16
- 30.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–1.2
- 12.6%
- Goals
- 1–3
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Pastrnak | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-26 | BOS 3–1 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 7S |
| 2025-11-04 | BOS 4–3 NYI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2025-10-28 | BOS 5–2 NYI | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 5S |
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.
David Pastrnak
3games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RW
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGOpp allows 7th-most FP to RW
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.8 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to D
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start David Pastrnak or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, David Pastrnak projects to 2.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Matthew Schaefer's 2.02. Pastrnak had 100 points in 77 games; Schaefer had 59 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, David Pastrnak or Matthew Schaefer?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Pastrnak and Schaefer done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Pastrnak's team went 3–0. Pastrnak had 3 points (1 goals) and Schaefer had 2 (0 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 →