Who to start · 2025-26
David Pastrnak vs Pavel Zacha
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, David Pastrnak projects to 2.44 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.
Pastrnak had 100 points in 77 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.
This week Pastrnak has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Pastrnak for 1.8 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.
David Pastrnak has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Pastrnak's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 64.7%, Transition attempts /60 1.66, Penalty minutes 72.
Zacha's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.4, Faceoffs won 524, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.019.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 8 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
David Pastrnak
2.44
fantasy points per game
Pavel Zacha
1.70
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, David Pastrnak has the edge.
| Points per game from | Pastrnak | Zacha |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.66 | 0.68 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.93 | 0.40 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.18 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.35 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.24 |
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 Zacha
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Pastrnak 4G 9A, 61 SOG · Zacha 3G 3A, 33 SOG
Pastrnak blocked 1 of Zacha's shots; Zacha blocked 4 of Pastrnak's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
148:58 at 5-on-5 over 32 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 146–130
- 52.9%
- Expected goals
- 5.9–8.2
- 41.6%
- Goals
- 5–13
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Pastrnak | Zacha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-11-13 | BOS 5–2 NJD | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2021-05-04 | BOS 3–4 NJD | 0G 2A 1S | 2G 0A 3S |
| 2021-05-03 | BOS 3–0 NJD | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2021-03-30 | BOS 5–4 NJD | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2021-03-28 | BOS 0–1 NJD | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-02-18 | BOS 2–3 NJD | 1G 0A 6S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2021-03-07 | BOS 0–1 NJD | 0G 0A 10S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2019-12-31 | BOS 2–3 NJD | 0G 1A 9S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-11-19 | BOS 5–1 NJD | 2G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-10-12 | BOS 3–0 NJD | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2019-03-21 | BOS 5–1 NJD | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2018-12-27 | BOS 2–5 NJD | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 7S |
Latest 12 of 15 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.
David Pastrnak
3games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGOpp allows 7th-most FP to RWLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.8 ptsOpp allows 6th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
Pavel Zacha
3games (1 left)
1.0proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGOpp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 ptsOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start David Pastrnak or Pavel Zacha 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 Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Pastrnak had 100 points in 77 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, David Pastrnak or Pavel Zacha?
- On 2025-26 numbers, David Pastrnak leads in 22 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 Zacha done against each other?
- In 15 games against each other in our data, Pastrnak's team went 9–6. Pastrnak had 13 points (4 goals) and Zacha had 6 (3 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 →