Who to start · 2025-26
Jacob Trouba vs Mathew Barzal
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jacob Trouba's 1.82.
Trouba had 35 points in 81 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Trouba has 1 game left; Barzal has 1 left. We project Trouba for 1.9 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.8.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Trouba's biggest edges: Hits 143, Goals above expected +2.7, Hardest shot 96.5.
Barzal's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 313, Offensive-zone time 45.4%, On-ice PDO 1006.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jacob Trouba
1.87
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jacob Trouba has the edge.
| Points per game from | Trouba | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.25 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.31 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.92 | 0.31 |
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: Trouba vs Barzal
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.
Trouba 2G 7A, 74 SOG · Barzal 8G 17A, 66 SOG
Trouba blocked 5 of Barzal's shots; Barzal blocked 2 of Trouba's.
On the ice against each other (Trouba's side)
15:01 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Trouba's side
- Shot attempts
- 21–20
- 51.2%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–0.8
- 56.9%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Trouba | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-04 | ANA 5–1 NYI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-11 | ANA 2–5 NYI | 0G 0A 7S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-04-13 | NYR 3–2 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-09 | NYR 2–4 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2024-02-18 | NYR 6–5 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2022-12-22 | NYR 5–3 NYI | 0G 0A 6S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2022-11-08 | NYR 3–4 NYI | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-10-26 | NYR 0–3 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-04-21 | NYR 6–3 NYI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-04-01 | NYR 0–3 NYI | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2022-03-17 | NYR 1–2 NYI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2021-11-24 | NYR 4–1 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
Latest 12 of 26 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.
Jacob Trouba
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 pts
Mathew Barzal
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TORSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.8 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jacob Trouba or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jacob Trouba's 1.82. Trouba had 35 points in 81 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 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, Jacob Trouba or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 22 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Trouba and Barzal done against each other?
- In 26 games against each other in our data, Trouba's team went 13–13. Trouba had 9 points (2 goals) and Barzal had 25 (8 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 →