Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Barbashev vs Robert Thomas
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59.
Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 games.
This week Barbashev has 1 game left; Thomas has 1 left. We project Thomas for 2.0 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.6.
Robert Thomas has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Barbashev's biggest edges: Hits 137, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.54, Hardest shot 87.4.
Thomas's biggest edges: Ascension score 51, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.004, Faceoffs won 547.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Robert Thomas
1.89
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Robert Thomas has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barbashev | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.73 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.53 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.29 |
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 Thomas
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barbashev 1G 5A, 16 SOG · Thomas 3G 6A, 16 SOG
Barbashev's offensive zone 1–4 · neutral 0–1 · Barbashev's defensive zone 0–0 (2022-23 to 2025-26)
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (Barbashev's side)
23:35 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Barbashev's side
- Shot attempts
- 15–25
- 37.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–1.2
- 42.2%
- Goals
- 0–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barbashev | Thomas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-10 | VGK 4–2 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2026-01-02 | VGK 3–4 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-15 | VGK 4–1 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-23 | VGK 4–2 STL | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-20 | VGK 4–5 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-10-11 | VGK 4–3 STL | 1G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-03-25 | VGK 2–1 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-12-06 | VGK 6–3 STL | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2023-12-04 | VGK 1–2 STL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-03-12 | VGK 5–3 STL | 0G 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.
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
Robert Thomas
2games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DAL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B2.0 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Barbashev or Robert Thomas in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59. Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 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 Robert Thomas?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Robert Thomas 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 Thomas done against each other?
- In 10 games against each other in our data, Barbashev's team went 7–3. Barbashev had 6 points (1 goals) and Thomas had 9 (3 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Barbashev or Thomas?
- Against each other, Barbashev has won 1 and Thomas 5 of their 6 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 →