Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Pavel Dorofeyev
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Dorofeyev projects to 1.90 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Dorofeyev had 64 in 82 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Dorofeyev has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Barzal for 1.4 ESPN points to Dorofeyev's 1.4.
Pavel Dorofeyev has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Barzal's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 210, Forecheck xG /60 0.36, 20+ mph bursts 313.
Dorofeyev's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.65, Hardest shot 93.3, Goals above expected +2.5.
- • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 12 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Pavel Dorofeyev
1.90
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Pavel Dorofeyev has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Dorofeyev |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.33 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.18 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.28 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.17 |
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 Dorofeyev
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barzal 2G 2A, 13 SOG · Dorofeyev 2G 0A, 13 SOG
On the ice against each other (Barzal's side)
6:28 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Barzal's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–8
- 42.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.2
- 59.6%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barzal | Dorofeyev |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-09 | NYI 5–4 VGK | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2025-11-13 | NYI 4–3 VGK | 1G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-01-09 | NYI 4–0 VGK | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2024-01-23 | NYI 2–3 VGK | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-01-06 | NYI 2–5 VGK | 1G 0A 1S | 1G 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)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.4 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to C
Pavel Dorofeyev
4games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOSOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to RW
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBLOpp allows the most FP to RW
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2BOpp allows 8th-most FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.4 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Pavel Dorofeyev in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Pavel Dorofeyev projects to 1.90 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mathew Barzal's 1.82. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Dorofeyev had 64 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 Pavel Dorofeyev?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Pavel Dorofeyev leads in 17 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 Dorofeyev done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Barzal's team went 3–2. Barzal had 4 points (2 goals) and Dorofeyev 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 →