Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Barbashev vs Jack Eichel
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jack Eichel projects to 2.65 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59.
Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Eichel had 90 in 74 games.
This week Barbashev has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Eichel has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Eichel for 2.8 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.8.
Jack Eichel has the better number in 29 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Barbashev's biggest edges: Goals above expected +1.2, Hits 137, Luck Meter +47.
Eichel's biggest edges: Ascension score 62, Transition attempts /60 2.16, Power-play share 80.6%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 2 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Jack Eichel
2.65
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jack Eichel has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barbashev | Eichel |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.76 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.53 | 0.99 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.33 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.27 |
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: Barbashev vs Eichel
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barbashev 1G 1A, 8 SOG · Eichel 6G 1A, 31 SOG
Barbashev's offensive zone 0–1 · neutral 0–1 · Barbashev's defensive zone 2–4 (2019-20 to 2021-22)
Barbashev blocked 5 of Eichel's shots; Eichel blocked 0 of Barbashev's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
1129:40 at 5-on-5 over 96 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 1148–1091
- 51.3%
- Expected goals
- 57.7–43.1
- 57.2%
- Goals
- 72–52
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barbashev | Eichel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-11-12 | STL 3–2 VGK | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2022-04-29 | STL 4–7 VGK | 0G 0A 0S | 2G 1A 6S |
| 2020-01-09 | STL 5–1 BUF | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2019-12-10 | STL 2–5 BUF | 0G 1A 1S | 2G 0A 2S |
| 2019-03-17 | STL 3–4 BUF | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2018-12-27 | STL 4–1 BUF | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2018-02-03 | STL 1–0 BUF | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 7S |
| 2017-12-10 | STL 3–2 BUF | 0G 0A 2S | 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.
Ivan Barbashev
3games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHIOpp allows 2nd-most FP to LWLikely vs Spencer Knight (.902)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANALikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.8 ptsOpp allows 5th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
Jack Eichel
3games (1 left)
2.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHIOpp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Spencer Knight (.902)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANALikely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN2.8 ptsOpp allows 4th-most FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Barbashev or Jack Eichel in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jack Eichel projects to 2.65 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59. Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Eichel had 90 in 74 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, Ivan Barbashev or Jack Eichel?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Jack Eichel leads in 29 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Barbashev and Eichel done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Barbashev's team went 5–3. Barbashev had 2 points (1 goals) and Eichel had 7 (6 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Barbashev or Eichel?
- Against each other, Barbashev has won 2 and Eichel 6 of their 8 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 →