Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Ryan Pulock
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mathew Barzal projects to 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Pulock's 1.54.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Pulock had 27 in 76 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Pulock has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Pulock for 1.8 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: Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Penalty minutes 61, Forecheck xG /60 0.36.
Pulock's biggest edges: Hardest shot 103.0, Transition attempts /60 0.56, Top skating speed 22.8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Ryan Pulock
1.57
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Pulock |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.08 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.12 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.06 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.97 |
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 Pulock
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.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
439:35 at 5-on-5 over 75 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 415–451
- 47.9%
- Expected goals
- 17.8–21.2
- 45.6%
- Goals
- 21–14
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)
Ryan Pulock
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. 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 NJD1.8 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Ryan Pulock 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 Ryan Pulock's 1.54. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Pulock had 27 in 76 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 Ryan Pulock?
- 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.
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 →