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Who to start · 2025-26

Ivan Barbashev vs Matthew Schaefer

Ivan BarbashevIvan BarbashevGolden Knights · Left wingvsMatthew SchaeferMatthew SchaeferIslanders · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.66.

Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.

This week Barbashev has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.8.

They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 16–16.

Barbashev's biggest edges: High-danger chances 57.9%, Hits 137, Expected goals 57.3%.

Schaefer's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.60, Faceoffs won 0, 20+ mph bursts 269.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Ivan Barbashev

1.66

fantasy points per game

Matthew Schaefer

2.02

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromBarbashevSchaefer
Goals (+2)0.530.53
Assists (+1)0.560.41
Power-play points (+0.5)0.030.10
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.160.27
Hits (+0.1)0.170.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.210.67

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

Ivan Barbashev and Matthew Schaefer have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

BarbashevSchaefer

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 CHI
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to LWLikely vs Spencer Knight (.902)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.8 pts
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)

Matthew Schaefer

2games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to DLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Ivan Barbashev or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.66. Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 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 Matthew Schaefer?
On 2025-26 numbers they split 16–16 across 34 stats where both qualify.

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 →