Who to start · 2025-26
Jeffrey Viel vs Zach Benson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Benson projects to 1.34 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jeffrey Viel's 0.81.
Viel had 10 points in 45 games; Benson had 43 in 65 games.
This week Viel has 2 games left with 1 tough matchup; Benson has 2 left with 1 soft matchup. In ESPN default points scoring we project Benson for 3.2 to Viel's 1.6 over the games left.
Zach Benson has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Viel's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.85, Forecheck xG /60 0.45, Hits 121.
Benson's biggest edges: Luck Meter +31, On-ice PDO 1040, Ascension score 67.
In standard categories (G, A, +/-, PPP, SOG, HIT), the default in Who Should I Start, Zach Benson rates ahead, +3.0 to -2.9 in summed category z-scores.
Role trend over the last 5 games: Viel is cooling, On-ice xGF/60 1.97 (was 3.26); Benson is rising, +2:28 PP TOI.
- • Viel has played 7 of the Lightning's 9 games since Oct 1 (in and out of the lineup).
- • 2026-27 so far: 7 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 9 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 1 PPP, 18 SOG.
Tampa Bay Lightning · Buffalo Sabres · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Jeffrey Viel
-2.9
category z-score total
Zach Benson
+3.0
category z-score total
Under Standard (6 categories), Zach Benson has the edge (Viel wins 1, Benson wins 5 of 6 categories).
| Category | Viel | Benson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals / game | 0.05 | 0.13 |
| Assists / game | 0.11 | 0.54 |
| Plus/minus / game | -0.23 | 0.43 |
| Power-play points / game | 0.00 | 0.09 |
| Shots on goal / game | 1.21 | 1.87 |
| Hits / game | 2.88 | 0.93 |
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 scoring choice is shared with Who Should I Start: saved on this device, and on your account when you are signed in.
Head-to-head: Viel vs Benson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Viel 0G 0A, 0 SOG · Benson 1G 1A, 2 SOG
On the ice against each other (Viel's side)
2:56 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Viel's side
- Shot attempts
- 1–3
- 25.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.2
- 4.5%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Viel | Benson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-22 | ANA 6–5 BUF | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 1A 2S |
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
Oct 19 to Oct 25. 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 cover the games left: Edgehalla's rest-of-season rates per game, adjusted for each opponent's scoring allowed, in ESPN default points.
Scored in ESPN default points (G 2, A 1, PPP 0.5, SHP 0.5, SOG 0.1, HIT 0.1, BLK 0.5). Use your league's scoring
Jeffrey Viel
3games (2 left)
1.6proj. ESPN default pts
- Tue, Oct 20 @ VGKOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
- Fri, Oct 23 @ COL0.8 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)
Zach Benson
2games
3.2proj. ESPN default pts
- Wed, Oct 21 vs PHI1.7 pts
- Sat, Oct 24 @ WSH1.5 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to LWLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Jeffrey Viel or Zach Benson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Benson projects to 1.34 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Jeffrey Viel's 0.81. Viel had 10 points in 45 games; Benson had 43 in 65 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, Jeffrey Viel or Zach Benson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Zach Benson leads in 24 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Viel and Benson done against each other?
- In 1 games against each other in our data, Viel's team went 1–0. Viel had 0 points (0 goals) and Benson had 2 (1 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 →