Who to start · 2025-26
Lane Hutson vs Mathew Barzal
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Lane Hutson projects to 2.13 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.
Hutson had 78 points in 82 games; Barzal had 72 in 81 games.
This week Hutson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Barzal has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Hutson for 1.5 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Lane Hutson has the better number in 21 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Hutson's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.12, Luck Meter +43, Top skating speed 23.0.
Barzal's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.36, Penalty minutes 61, Ice-time share 34.0%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Lane Hutson
2.24
fantasy points per game
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Lane Hutson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Hutson | Barzal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.29 | 0.47 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.80 | 0.65 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.23 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.84 | 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: Hutson 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.
Hutson 0G 3A, 3 SOG · Barzal 0G 3A, 10 SOG
On the ice against each other (Hutson's side)
9:41 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Hutson's side
- Shot attempts
- 12–10
- 54.5%
- Expected goals
- 1.4–0.7
- 66.0%
- Goals
- 2–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Hutson | Barzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-12 | MTL 4–1 NYI | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2026-03-21 | MTL 7–3 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2026-02-26 | MTL 3–4 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-10-19 | MTL 3–4 NYI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 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
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.
Lane Hutson
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.5 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to Dvs Arturs Silovs (.888)
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 CSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Lane Hutson or Mathew Barzal in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Lane Hutson projects to 2.13 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. Hutson had 78 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, Lane Hutson or Mathew Barzal?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Lane Hutson leads in 21 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Hutson and Barzal done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Hutson's team went 2–2. Hutson had 3 points (0 goals) and Barzal had 3 (0 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 →