Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Noah Dobson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Noah Dobson projects to 2.17 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Dobson had 47 in 80 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Dobson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Dobson for 1.6 ESPN points to Barzal's 1.4.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 23 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Barzal's biggest edges: Corsi 51.6%, Scoring chances 50.4%, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.030.
Dobson's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.60, Goals above expected +1.4, Hits 62.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Noah Dobson
2.24
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Noah Dobson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Dobson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.30 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.44 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.04 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 1.18 |
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 Dobson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2020-21 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barzal 0G 2A, 4 SOG · Dobson 2G 0A, 6 SOG
Barzal blocked 0 of Dobson's shots; Dobson blocked 2 of Barzal's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (Barzal's side)
9:35 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Barzal's side
- Shot attempts
- 11–11
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.7
- 31.3%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barzal | Dobson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-21 | NYI 3–7 MTL | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-02-26 | NYI 4–3 MTL | 0G 1A 0S | 2G 0A 3S |
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 CSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
Noah Dobson
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.6 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to Dvs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Noah Dobson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Noah Dobson projects to 2.17 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Dobson had 47 in 80 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 Noah Dobson?
- 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.
- How have Barzal and Dobson done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Barzal's team went 1–1. Barzal had 2 points (0 goals) and Dobson had 2 (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 →