Who to start · 2025-26
Gabriel Vilardi vs Mike Matheson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Gabriel Vilardi's 1.76.
Vilardi had 69 points in 82 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 games.
This week Vilardi has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Matheson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Vilardi for 1.3 ESPN points to Matheson's 1.3.
Gabriel Vilardi has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Vilardi's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 65.5%, Offensive-zone time 44.8%, Scoring chances 51.6%.
Matheson's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 90, Hardest shot 100.6, Top skating speed 22.8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Gabriel Vilardi
1.76
fantasy points per game
Mike Matheson
1.80
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mike Matheson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Vilardi | Matheson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.69 | 0.17 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.51 | 0.42 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.02 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.96 |
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 Matheson
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.
Vilardi 3G 6A, 14 SOG · Matheson 0G 3A, 13 SOG
Vilardi blocked 2 of Matheson's shots; Matheson blocked 3 of Vilardi's.
On the ice against each other (Vilardi's side)
18:55 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Vilardi's side
- Shot attempts
- 27–20
- 57.4%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–1.0
- 52.5%
- Goals
- 2–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Vilardi | Matheson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-04 | WPG 1–5 MTL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-03 | WPG 2–3 MTL | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-01-28 | WPG 4–1 MTL | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-12-14 | WPG 4–2 MTL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-12-18 | WPG 2–3 MTL | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-03-02 | LAK 3–2 MTL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
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)
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.3 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to Dvs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Gabriel Vilardi or Mike Matheson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Gabriel Vilardi's 1.76. Vilardi had 69 points in 82 games; Matheson had 37 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, Gabriel Vilardi or Mike Matheson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Gabriel Vilardi leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Vilardi and Matheson done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, Vilardi's team went 3–3. Vilardi had 9 points (3 goals) and Matheson had 3 (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 →