Who to start · 2025-26
Dylan Guenther vs Mathew Barzal
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Dylan Guenther projects to 2.36 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.
Guenther had 73 points in 79 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Guenther has 2 games left with 1 tough matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Guenther for 3.2 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Dylan Guenther has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Guenther's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.52, Goals above expected +4.4, Hardest shot 91.4.
Barzal's biggest edges: Blocked shots 50, Penalty minutes 61, Offensive-zone start % 62.4%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 2 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Dylan Guenther
2.15
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Dylan Guenther has the edge.
| Points per game from | Guenther | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.01 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.42 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.31 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.18 | 0.31 |
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: Guenther vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Guenther 6G 1A, 9 SOG · Barzal 0G 2A, 7 SOG
On the ice against each other (Guenther's side)
9:24 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Guenther's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–10
- 41.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.3
- 64.1%
- Goals
- 3–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Guenther | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | UTA 7–2 NYI | 3G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-11-14 | UTA 2–3 NYI | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-10-10 | UTA 5–4 NYI | 2G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-11-10 | ARI 2–0 NYI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
Dylan Guenther
3games (2 left)
3.2proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 4th-most FP to RWLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.6 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.6 ptsOpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Mathew Barzal
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.4 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Dylan Guenther or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Dylan Guenther projects to 2.36 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. Guenther had 73 points in 79 games; Barzal had 72 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, Dylan Guenther or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Dylan Guenther leads in 17 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Guenther and Barzal done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Guenther's team went 3–1. Guenther had 7 points (6 goals) and Barzal 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 →