Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Barbashev vs Kirill Marchenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kirill Marchenko projects to 1.92 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59.
Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Marchenko had 67 in 76 games.
This week Barbashev has 1 game left; Marchenko has 1 left. We project Marchenko for 2.0 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.6.
Kirill Marchenko has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Barbashev's biggest edges: High-danger chances 57.9%, Goals above expected +1.7, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.54.
Marchenko's biggest edges: Ascension score 58, Transition attempts /60 1.56, Power-play share 77.5%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 7 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Kirill Marchenko
1.92
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Kirill Marchenko has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barbashev | Marchenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.63 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.53 | 0.52 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.13 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.23 |
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 Marchenko
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.
Barbashev 1G 1A, 11 SOG · Marchenko 2G 3A, 19 SOG
Barbashev blocked 2 of Marchenko's shots; Marchenko blocked 0 of Barbashev's.
On the ice against each other (Barbashev's side)
8:47 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Barbashev's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–15
- 28.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.6
- 14.8%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barbashev | Marchenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-08 | VGK 5–3 CBJ | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2025-12-13 | VGK 3–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-03-13 | VGK 4–0 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-01-30 | VGK 1–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-23 | VGK 4–2 CBJ | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-03-04 | VGK 3–6 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-03-19 | VGK 7–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 4S |
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 pts
Kirill Marchenko
3games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
- Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2B
- Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT2.0 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Barbashev or Kirill Marchenko in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Kirill Marchenko projects to 1.92 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59. Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Marchenko had 67 in 76 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 Kirill Marchenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Kirill Marchenko leads in 23 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 Marchenko done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Barbashev's team went 5–2. Barbashev had 2 points (1 goals) and Marchenko 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 →