Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Jack Hughes vs Pavel Zacha

Jack HughesJack HughesDevils · CentrevsPavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jack Hughes projects to 2.55 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.

Hughes had 77 points in 61 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.

This week Hughes has 1 game left; Zacha has 1 left. We project Hughes for 2.4 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Jack Hughes has the better number in 24 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Hughes's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 79.3%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.55, High-danger chances 53.6%.

Zacha's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1036, Faceoff win % 53.3%, Draw Equity /100 +0.035.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Jack Hughes

2.55

fantasy points per game

Pavel Zacha

1.70

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Jack Hughes has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromHughesZacha
Goals (+2)0.950.68
Assists (+1)0.770.40
Power-play points (+0.5)0.180.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.020.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.380.18
Hits (+0.1)0.010.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.250.24

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

Jack Hughes and Pavel Zacha 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.

HughesZacha

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.

Jack Hughes

2games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs PHI
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ NYI2.4 pts
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to C

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 10th-most FP to C
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 10th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Jack Hughes or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jack Hughes projects to 2.55 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Hughes had 77 points in 61 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, Jack Hughes or Pavel Zacha?
On 2025-26 numbers, Jack Hughes leads in 24 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →