Who to start · 2025-26
Jake Guentzel vs Mathew Barzal
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jake Guentzel projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.
Guentzel had 88 points in 81 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Guentzel has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Guentzel for 1.5 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Jake Guentzel has the better number in 23 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Guentzel's biggest edges: Goals above expected +1.6, High-danger chances 55.6%, Luck Meter +40.
Barzal's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 313, Forecheck xG /60 0.36, Offensive-zone time 45.4%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jake Guentzel
2.33
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Jake Guentzel has the edge.
| Points per game from | Guentzel | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.94 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.62 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.19 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.27 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.25 | 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: Guentzel 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.
Guentzel 13G 26A, 124 SOG · Barzal 9G 28A, 121 SOG
Guentzel's offensive zone 0–2 · neutral 2–0 · Guentzel's defensive zone 1–0 (2017-18 to 2025-26)
Guentzel blocked 3 of Barzal's shots; Barzal blocked 2 of Guentzel's.
On the ice against each other (Guentzel's side)
22:32 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Guentzel's side
- Shot attempts
- 38–10
- 79.2%
- Expected goals
- 1.7–0.4
- 80.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Guentzel | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-13 | TBL 2–3 NYI | 0G 1A 6S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-12-06 | TBL 0–2 NYI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-12-02 | TBL 1–2 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-02-01 | TBL 2–3 NYI | 1G 0A 7S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-04-30 · PO | CAR 6–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2024-04-27 · PO | CAR 2–3 NYI | 0G 1A 2S | 2G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-25 · PO | CAR 3–2 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-04-22 · PO | CAR 5–3 NYI | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-04-20 · PO | CAR 3–1 NYI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-03-19 | CAR 4–1 NYI | 1G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-12-31 | PIT 3–1 NYI | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 6S |
| 2023-12-27 | PIT 7–0 NYI | 2G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
Latest 12 of 46 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.
Jake Guentzel
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Mathew Barzal
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.4 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jake Guentzel or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Jake Guentzel projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. Guentzel had 88 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, Jake Guentzel or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Jake Guentzel leads in 23 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Guentzel and Barzal done against each other?
- In 46 games against each other in our data, Guentzel's team went 23–23. Guentzel had 39 points (13 goals) and Barzal had 37 (9 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Guentzel or Barzal?
- Against each other, Guentzel has won 3 and Barzal 2 of their 5 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 →