Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Barbashev vs Sebastian Aho
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sebastian Aho projects to 2.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59.
Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Aho had 80 in 79 games.
This week Barbashev has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Aho has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Aho for 2.2 ESPN points to Barbashev's 1.8.
Sebastian Aho has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Barbashev's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.54, Goals above expected +1.7, Luck Meter +43.
Aho's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 46, Faceoffs won 596, Power-play share 68.4%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Sebastian Aho
2.01
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Sebastian Aho has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barbashev | Aho |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.72 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.53 | 0.59 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.17 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.04 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.16 |
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 Aho
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barbashev 3G 8A, 29 SOG · Aho 6G 13A, 61 SOG
Barbashev's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 0–2 · Barbashev's defensive zone 0–1 (2019-20 to 2023-24)
On the ice against each other (Barbashev's side)
38:14 at 5-on-5 over 8 games, 2025-26, from Barbashev's side
- Shot attempts
- 35–42
- 45.5%
- Expected goals
- 1.8–1.3
- 57.2%
- Goals
- 3–2
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barbashev | Aho |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-14 · PO | VGK 0–3 CAR | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-06-11 · PO | VGK 2–4 CAR | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2026-06-09 · PO | VGK 3–5 CAR | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2026-06-06 · PO | VGK 5–4 CAR | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 0S |
| 2026-06-04 · PO | VGK 3–4 CAR | 0G 1A 5S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2026-06-02 · PO | VGK 5–4 CAR | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-10-28 | VGK 6–3 CAR | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-10-20 | VGK 4–1 CAR | 1G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-01-17 | VGK 2–3 CAR | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-11-11 | VGK 2–5 CAR | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-02-17 | VGK 1–3 CAR | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-12-19 | VGK 3–6 CAR | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 3A 7S |
Latest 12 of 22 meetings.
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 ANAOpp allows 8th-most FP to LWLikely 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)
Sebastian Aho
3games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLAOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSHOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B2.2 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to CSchedule edge −8.7 win%vs Joseph Woll (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Barbashev or Sebastian Aho in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sebastian Aho projects to 2.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59. Barbashev had 61 points in 82 games; Aho had 80 in 79 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 Sebastian Aho?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Sebastian Aho 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 Aho done against each other?
- In 22 games against each other in our data, Barbashev's team went 9–13. Barbashev had 11 points (3 goals) and Aho had 19 (6 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Barbashev or Aho?
- Against each other, Barbashev has won 0 and Aho 3 of their 3 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 →