Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Matthew Schaefer
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Barzal's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.36, Penalty minutes 61, Corsi 51.6%.
Schaefer's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.60, Goals above expected +3.8, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Matthew Schaefer
2.11
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.56 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.44 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.68 |
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: Barzal vs Schaefer
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.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
531:00 at 5-on-5 over 81 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 566–542
- 51.1%
- Expected goals
- 25.9–25.8
- 50.1%
- Goals
- 23–22
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.
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)
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to DLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 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, Mathew Barzal or Matthew Schaefer?
- 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.
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 →