Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Demidov vs Pavel Zacha
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.
This week Demidov has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Demidov for 1.2 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 16–16.
Demidov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 71.3%, 20+ mph bursts 155, Offensive-zone time 45.7%.
Zacha's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 524, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.019, Hits 64.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Demidov
1.38
fantasy points per game
Pavel Zacha
1.70
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Pavel Zacha has the edge.
| Points per game from | Demidov | Zacha |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.43 | 0.68 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 0.40 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.24 |
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: Demidov vs Zacha
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Demidov 1G 1A, 3 SOG · Zacha 2G 2A, 9 SOG
On the ice against each other (Demidov's side)
11:15 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Demidov's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–14
- 30.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.5
- 46.1%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Demidov | Zacha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-17 | MTL 3–2 BOS | 0G 0A 2S | 2G 0A 4S |
| 2026-01-24 | MTL 3–4 BOS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-23 | MTL 6–2 BOS | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-11-15 | MTL 2–3 BOS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 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 Demidov
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 16th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.2 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Pavel Zacha
3games (1 left)
1.0proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPGOpp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 ptsOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%Likely vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Demidov or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38. Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 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 Demidov or Pavel Zacha?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 16–16 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Demidov and Zacha done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Demidov's team went 2–2. Demidov had 2 points (1 goals) and Zacha had 4 (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 →