Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Parker Kelly
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Parker Kelly's 1.51.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Kelly had 35 in 82 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left; Kelly has 1 left. We project Barzal for 1.8 ESPN points to Kelly's 1.4.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 18 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Barzal's biggest edges: Power-play share 72.3%, Power-play time per game 3:23, Ice time per game 20:39.
Kelly's biggest edges: Hits 177, Goals above expected +7.5, Luck Meter +72.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Parker Kelly
1.39
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Kelly |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.51 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.17 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.13 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.22 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.35 |
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 Kelly
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barzal 3G 7A, 36 SOG · Kelly 0G 2A, 7 SOG
Barzal blocked 2 of Kelly's shots; Kelly blocked 0 of Barzal's.
On the ice against each other (Barzal's side)
5:50 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Barzal's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–5
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.3
- 33.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barzal | Kelly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-04 | NYI 6–3 COL | 1G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-11-16 | NYI 1–4 COL | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-01-28 | NYI 5–2 COL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-10-14 | NYI 6–2 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-03-16 | NYI 3–4 OTT | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-11-24 | NYI 5–3 OTT | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-10-26 | NYI 3–2 OTT | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-02-14 | NYI 2–3 OTT | 0G 1A 7S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-01-25 | NYI 1–2 OTT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-14 | NYI 4–2 OTT | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 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.
Mathew Barzal
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.8 pts
Parker Kelly
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Parker Kelly 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 Parker Kelly's 1.51. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Kelly had 35 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 Parker Kelly?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 18 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Barzal and Kelly done against each other?
- In 10 games against each other in our data, Barzal's team went 6–4. Barzal had 10 points (3 goals) and Kelly had 2 (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 →