Who to start · 2025-26
Josh Doan 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 Josh Doan's 1.47.
Doan had 52 points in 82 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Doan has 1 game left; Barzal has 1 left. We project Barzal for 1.8 ESPN points to Doan's 1.5.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Doan's biggest edges: Goals above expected +1.9, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.51, Hits 78.
Barzal's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 210, Penalty minutes 61, Plus/minus +10.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Josh Doan
1.53
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Doan | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.33 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.10 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.19 | 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: Doan vs Barzal
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Doan 1G 1A, 5 SOG · Barzal 2G 4A, 10 SOG
Doan blocked 1 of Barzal's shots; Barzal blocked 0 of Doan's.
On the ice against each other (Doan's side)
9:55 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Doan's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–10
- 37.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.7
- 39.6%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Doan | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-31 | BUF 4–3 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2026-01-24 | BUF 5–0 NYI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-12-20 | BUF 3–2 NYI | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2025-01-11 | UTA 1–2 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2024-10-10 | UTA 5–4 NYI | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
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.
Josh Doan
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJ
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI1.5 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 Josh Doan 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 Josh Doan's 1.47. Doan had 52 points in 82 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, Josh Doan or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 18 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Doan and Barzal done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Doan's team went 4–1. Doan had 2 points (1 goals) and Barzal had 6 (2 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 →