Who to start · 2025-26
Dylan Larkin vs Mathew Barzal
In 2025-26, Dylan Larkin scored 2.13 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.
Larkin had 67 points in 74 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Larkin has 1 game left; Barzal has 1 left. We project Larkin for 2.1 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.8.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 22 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Larkin's biggest edges: Faceoff win % 52.9%, Draw Equity /100 +0.029, Hardest shot 91.7.
Barzal's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 62.4%, Forecheck xG /60 0.36, Offensive-zone time 45.4%.
Head to head on the dot, Larkin leads Barzal 29–24.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Dylan Larkin
2.13
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Dylan Larkin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Larkin | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.92 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.45 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.16 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.31 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.22 | 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: Larkin vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Larkin 5G 11A, 57 SOG · Barzal 5G 22A, 61 SOG
Larkin's offensive zone 7–7 · neutral 12–9 · Larkin's defensive zone 10–8 (2017-18 to 2025-26)
Larkin blocked 1 of Barzal's shots; Barzal blocked 2 of Larkin's.
On the ice against each other (Larkin's side)
16:34 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Larkin's side
- Shot attempts
- 22–15
- 59.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.6–0.4
- 61.0%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Larkin | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-16 | DET 3–2 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-11-20 | DET 0–5 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-23 | DET 2–7 NYI | 1G 0A 5S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2024-10-22 | DET 1–0 NYI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-03-21 | DET 6–3 NYI | 2G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 7S |
| 2024-02-29 | DET 3–5 NYI | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2023-10-30 | DET 4–3 NYI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 6S |
| 2023-01-27 | DET 0–2 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-11-05 | DET 3–0 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-03-24 | DET 2–5 NYI | 0G 0A 7S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2021-12-04 | DET 4–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2020-02-21 | DET 1–4 NYI | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 20 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.
Dylan Larkin
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs NYR
- Sun, Oct 4 vs WPG2.1 pts
Mathew Barzal
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.8 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Dylan Larkin or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- In 2025-26, Dylan Larkin scored 2.13 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. Larkin had 67 points in 74 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 Larkin or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 22 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Larkin and Barzal done against each other?
- In 20 games against each other in our data, Larkin's team went 8–12. Larkin had 16 points (5 goals) and Barzal had 27 (5 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Larkin or Barzal?
- Against each other, Larkin has won 29 and Barzal 24 of their 53 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 →