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Who to start · 2025-26

Eeli Tolvanen vs Pavel Zacha

Eeli TolvanenEeli TolvanenRangers · Right wingvsPavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Eeli Tolvanen projects to 1.71 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.

Tolvanen had 36 points in 78 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.

This week Tolvanen has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Tolvanen for 1.3 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Pavel Zacha has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Tolvanen's biggest edges: Ascension score 57, Blocked shots 81, Transition attempts /60 1.47.

Zacha's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.4, Faceoffs won 524, Plus/minus +4.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Eeli Tolvanen

1.71

fantasy points per game

Pavel Zacha

1.70

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Eeli Tolvanen has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromTolvanenZacha
Goals (+2)0.480.68
Assists (+1)0.260.40
Power-play points (+0.5)0.070.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.170.18
Hits (+0.1)0.240.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.490.24

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: Tolvanen vs Zacha

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

TolvanenZacha
6Team record in 10 meetings4
5Points in those games5

Tolvanen 4G 1A, 22 SOG · Zacha 1G 4A, 20 SOG

1Hits on each other0
1Shots blocked by the other0

Tolvanen blocked 1 of Zacha's shots; Zacha blocked 0 of Tolvanen's.

On the ice against each other (Tolvanen's side)

8:49 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27, from Tolvanen's side

Shot attempts
10–12
45.5%
Expected goals
0.3–0.9
23.1%
Goals
0–1

Games against each other

Games between Eeli Tolvanen and Pavel Zacha
DateScoreTolvanenZacha
2026-09-29NYR 0–3 BOS0G 0A 2S0G 0A 3S
2026-01-15SEA 2–4 BOS1G 0A 3S0G 1A 0S
2024-12-12SEA 5–1 BOS0G 1A 1S0G 0A 2S
2024-11-03SEA 0–2 BOS0G 0A 1S0G 0A 3S
2024-02-26SEA 4–3 BOS0G 0A 3S0G 1A 1S
2024-02-15SEA 4–1 BOS1G 0A 3S0G 1A 3S
2023-02-23SEA 5–6 BOS0G 0A 1S0G 1A 1S
2023-01-12SEA 3–0 BOS1G 0A 3S0G 0A 0S
2021-12-10NSH 3–2 NJD1G 0A 2S1G 0A 7S
2021-11-26NSH 4–2 NJD0G 0A 3S0G 0A 0S

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

TolvanenZacha

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Eeli Tolvanen

4games (1 left)

1.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to RW
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
    Opp allows the most FP to RW
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2B
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.3 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to C
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Eeli Tolvanen or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Eeli Tolvanen projects to 1.71 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Tolvanen had 36 points in 78 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, Eeli Tolvanen or Pavel Zacha?
On 2025-26 numbers, Pavel Zacha leads in 24 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Tolvanen and Zacha done against each other?
In 10 games against each other in our data, Tolvanen's team went 6–4. Tolvanen had 5 points (4 goals) and Zacha had 5 (1 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 →