Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Barbashev vs Jack Hughes
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jack Hughes projects to 2.55 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59.
Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Hughes had 77 in 61 games.
This week Barbashev has 1 game left; Hughes has 1 left. We project Hughes for 2.6 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.6.
Jack Hughes has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Barbashev's biggest edges: Hits 137, On-ice PDO 1013, Goals above expected +1.7.
Hughes's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.60, Ascension score 51, Power-play share 74.5%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Jack Hughes
2.55
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jack Hughes has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barbashev | Hughes |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.95 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.53 | 0.77 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.18 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.38 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.25 |
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 Hughes
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2019-20 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barbashev 3G 4A, 16 SOG · Hughes 2G 3A, 28 SOG
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barbashev | Hughes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-02 | VGK 2–0 NJD | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-02-06 | VGK 3–1 NJD | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-17 | VGK 3–1 NJD | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-03-03 | VGK 4–3 NJD | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 1A 6S |
| 2023-01-05 | STL 5–3 NJD | 1G 1A 2S | 2G 0A 9S |
| 2022-03-06 | STL 2–3 NJD | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2020-03-06 | STL 2–4 NJD | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2020-02-18 | STL 3–0 NJD | 2G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
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)
1.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.6 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Jack Hughes
2games (1 left)
2.6proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs PHISchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NYI2.6 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Barbashev or Jack Hughes in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jack Hughes projects to 2.55 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59. Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Hughes had 77 in 61 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 Hughes?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Jack Hughes leads in 22 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 Hughes done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Barbashev's team went 6–2. Barbashev had 7 points (3 goals) and Hughes had 5 (2 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 →