Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Pavel Zacha
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left; Zacha has 1 left. We project Barzal for 1.8 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.3.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 22 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Barzal's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.36, 20+ mph bursts 313, Offensive-zone start % 62.4%.
Zacha's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.4, Faceoff win % 53.3%, Draw Equity /100 +0.035.
Head to head on the dot, Zacha leads Barzal 19–12.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Pavel Zacha
1.78
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Zacha |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.77 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.45 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.17 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| 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 Zacha
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Barzal 6G 17A, 60 SOG · Zacha 5G 8A, 38 SOG
Barzal's offensive zone 6–9 · neutral 4–6 · Barzal's defensive zone 2–4 (2017-18 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Barzal's side)
16:30 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Barzal's side
- Shot attempts
- 17–12
- 58.6%
- Expected goals
- 1.1–0.2
- 86.1%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barzal | Zacha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-26 | NYI 1–3 BOS | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-04 | NYI 3–4 BOS | 0G 1A 5S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-28 | NYI 2–5 BOS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-05 | NYI 5–4 BOS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-03-02 | NYI 5–1 BOS | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2023-11-09 | NYI 2–5 BOS | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-02-18 | NYI 2–6 BOS | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2023-01-18 | NYI 1–4 BOS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-12-13 | NYI 3–4 BOS | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2022-04-03 | NYI 4–3 NJD | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-01-13 | NYI 3–2 NJD | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2021-12-11 | NYI 4–2 NJD | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
Latest 12 of 30 meetings.
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
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TORSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.8 pts
Pavel Zacha
3games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.3 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Pavel Zacha 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 Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 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 Zacha?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 22 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 Zacha done against each other?
- In 30 games against each other in our data, Barzal's team went 16–14. Barzal had 23 points (6 goals) and Zacha had 13 (5 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Barzal or Zacha?
- Against each other, Barzal has won 12 and Zacha 19 of their 31 head-to-head draws.
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 →