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Who to start · 2025-26

Jake McCabe vs Mathew Barzal

Jake McCabeJake McCabeMaple Leafs · DefencevsMathew BarzalMathew BarzalIslanders · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jake McCabe's 1.75.

McCabe had 25 points in 80 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.

This week McCabe has 1 game left; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project McCabe for 1.7 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.

Mathew Barzal has the better number in 23 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

McCabe's biggest edges: Hits 104, Transition attempts /60 0.45, Goals above expected +0.6.

Barzal's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Offensive-zone start % 62.4%, Forecheck xG /60 0.36.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Jake McCabe

1.79

fantasy points per game

Mathew Barzal

1.82

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMcCabeBarzal
Goals (+2)0.130.47
Assists (+1)0.250.65
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.100.23
Hits (+0.1)0.130.04
Blocks (+0.5)1.190.31

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

Jake McCabe and Mathew Barzal 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.

McCabeBarzal

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 McCabe

3games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
    Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
  • Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2B
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT1.7 pts
    Likely vs Linus Ullmark (.891)

Mathew Barzal

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.4 pts
    Opp allows 8th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Jake McCabe 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 Jake McCabe's 1.75. McCabe had 25 points in 80 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 McCabe or Mathew Barzal?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 23 of 33 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 →