Who to start · 2025-26
Gabriel Vilardi vs Mathew Barzal
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Gabriel Vilardi's 1.76.
Vilardi had 69 points in 82 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Vilardi has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Barzal for 1.4 ESPN points to Vilardi's 1.3.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 24 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Vilardi's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.74, Luck Meter +20, Goals 30.
Barzal's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 313, Plus/minus +10, Forecheck xG /60 0.36.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Gabriel Vilardi
1.77
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Vilardi | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.73 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.48 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.21 | 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: Vilardi vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Vilardi 1G 1A, 10 SOG · Barzal 0G 1A, 5 SOG
On the ice against each other (Vilardi's side)
7:44 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Vilardi's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–9
- 43.8%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–0.4
- 69.1%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Vilardi | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-13 | WPG 5–4 NYI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-10-13 | WPG 5–2 NYI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-01-16 | WPG 4–2 NYI | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
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.
Gabriel Vilardi
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs BOSOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ DET1.3 ptsOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to CLikely vs John Gibson (.901)
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 CLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Gabriel Vilardi or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Gabriel Vilardi's 1.76. Vilardi had 69 points in 82 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, Gabriel Vilardi or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 24 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Vilardi and Barzal done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Vilardi's team went 3–0. Vilardi had 2 points (1 goals) and Barzal had 1 (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 →