Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Shane Pinto
In 2025-26, Mathew Barzal scored 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Shane Pinto's 1.72.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Pinto had 46 in 72 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Pinto has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Barzal for 1.4 ESPN points to Pinto's 1.3.
Shane Pinto has the better number in 18 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Barzal's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 62.4%, 20+ mph bursts 313, Offensive-zone time 45.4%.
Pinto's biggest edges: Draw Equity /100 +0.042, Transition attempts /60 1.56, Faceoff win % 51.8%.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Shane Pinto
1.72
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Pinto |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.64 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.03 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.03 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.22 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.13 |
| 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 Pinto
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 0G 5A, 17 SOG · Pinto 3G 3A, 20 SOG
Barzal's offensive zone 2–2 · neutral 1–2 · Barzal's defensive zone 0–1 (2022-23 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Barzal's side)
26:23 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Barzal's side
- Shot attempts
- 25–21
- 54.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.9–1.1
- 44.3%
- Goals
- 2–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barzal | Pinto |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-11 | NYI 0–3 OTT | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2026-03-19 | NYI 2–3 OTT | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-10-18 | NYI 5–4 OTT | 0G 1A 0S | 1G 0A 6S |
| 2025-01-14 | NYI 0–2 OTT | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-03-16 | NYI 3–4 OTT | 0G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-02-14 | NYI 2–3 OTT | 0G 1A 7S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-01-25 | NYI 1–2 OTT | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2022-11-14 | NYI 4–2 OTT | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
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)
Shane Pinto
1games
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Sat, Oct 3 @ TOR1.3 ptsOpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Shane Pinto in fantasy hockey?
- In 2025-26, Mathew Barzal scored 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Shane Pinto's 1.72. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Pinto had 46 in 72 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 Shane Pinto?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Shane Pinto 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 Pinto done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Barzal's team went 2–6. Barzal had 5 points (0 goals) and Pinto had 6 (3 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Barzal or Pinto?
- Against each other, Barzal has won 3 and Pinto 5 of their 8 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 →