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Who to start · 2025-26

Jake DeBrusk vs Pavel Zacha

Jake DeBruskJake DeBruskCanucks · Left wingvsPavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Zacha projects to 1.70 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake DeBrusk's 1.42.

DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.

This week DeBrusk has 2 games left; Zacha has 1 left. We project DeBrusk for 2.7 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Jake DeBrusk has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

DeBrusk's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.79, 20+ mph bursts 168, Top skating speed 23.5.

Zacha's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.4, Luck Meter +68, On-ice PDO 1036.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Jake DeBrusk

1.42

fantasy points per game

Pavel Zacha

1.70

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Pavel Zacha has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromDeBruskZacha
Goals (+2)0.500.68
Assists (+1)0.270.40
Power-play points (+0.5)0.130.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.260.18
Hits (+0.1)0.080.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.190.24

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: DeBrusk vs Zacha

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.

DeBruskZacha
11Team record in 19 meetings8
7Points in those games10

DeBrusk 4G 3A, 45 SOG · Zacha 5G 5A, 40 SOG

2Faceoffs against each other0

DeBrusk's offensive zone 2–0 · neutral 0–0 · DeBrusk's defensive zone 0–0 (2019-20 to 2020-21)

0Hits on each other3
0Penalties drawn off the other1
9Goals set up by the other5

Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).

On the ice against each other (DeBrusk's side)

6:04 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from DeBrusk's side

Shot attempts
9–7
56.3%
Expected goals
0.3–0.3
48.9%
Goals
0–1

Games against each other

Games between Jake DeBrusk and Pavel Zacha
DateScoreDeBruskZacha
2026-01-03VAN 2–3 BOS0G 0A 7S0G 0A 0S
2025-12-20VAN 5–4 BOS0G 1A 3S1G 0A 2S
2024-12-14VAN 1–5 BOS0G 0A 1S1G 2A 2S
2024-11-26VAN 2–0 BOS1G 0A 3S0G 0A 2S
2021-11-13BOS 5–2 NJD1G 0A 1S0G 0A 6S
2021-05-04BOS 3–4 NJD0G 0A 0S2G 0A 3S
2021-05-03BOS 3–0 NJD0G 0A 4S0G 0A 3S
2021-02-18BOS 2–3 NJD1G 0A 1S1G 0A 1S
2021-03-07BOS 0–1 NJD0G 0A 2S0G 1A 2S
2021-01-16BOS 1–2 NJD0G 0A 1S0G 0A 3S
2021-01-14BOS 3–2 NJD0G 0A 3S0G 0A 1S
2019-12-31BOS 2–3 NJD0G 0A 0S0G 0A 1S

Latest 12 of 19 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.

DeBruskZacha

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.

Jake DeBrusk

4games (2 left)

2.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ EDM
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to LWLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs EDM
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to LWLikely vs Devon Levi (.682)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CGY1.4 pts
    Opp allows 16th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −4.0 win%Likely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs VGKB2B1.3 pts
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Carter Hart (.891)

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Jake DeBrusk 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 Jake DeBrusk's 1.42. DeBrusk had 42 points in 81 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, Jake DeBrusk or Pavel Zacha?
On 2025-26 numbers, Jake DeBrusk leads in 17 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have DeBrusk and Zacha done against each other?
In 19 games against each other in our data, DeBrusk's team went 11–8. DeBrusk had 7 points (4 goals) and Zacha had 10 (5 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, DeBrusk or Zacha?
Against each other, DeBrusk has won 2 and Zacha 0 of their 2 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 →