Who to start · 2025-26
Mathew Barzal vs Vladimir Tarasenko
In 2025-26, Mathew Barzal scored 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52.
Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Barzal has 1 game left; Tarasenko has 1 left. We project Barzal for 1.8 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.5.
Mathew Barzal has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Barzal's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 61, 20+ mph bursts 313, Plus/minus +10.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Goals above expected +4.0, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37, Luck Meter +35.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mathew Barzal
1.82
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mathew Barzal has the edge.
| Points per game from | Barzal | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.47 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.23 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.22 |
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 Tarasenko
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 3G 6A, 27 SOG · Tarasenko 6G 5A, 40 SOG
On the ice against each other (Barzal's side)
7:09 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Barzal's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–5
- 44.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.4
- 6.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Barzal | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-10 | NYI 4–3 MIN | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-07 | NYI 2–5 MIN | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-10-22 | NYI 0–1 DET | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-03-28 | NYI 3–2 FLA | 1G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2023-11-24 | NYI 5–3 OTT | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2023-10-26 | NYI 3–2 OTT | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-12-06 | NYI 4–7 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-11-03 | NYI 5–2 STL | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 1A 5S |
| 2022-04-09 | NYI 1–6 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 2A 1S |
| 2019-10-14 | NYI 3–2 STL | 1G 1A 4S | 1G 0A 5S |
| 2019-01-15 | NYI 2–1 STL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2019-01-05 | NYI 4–3 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
Latest 12 of 14 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 (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TORSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.8 pts
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.5 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mathew Barzal or Vladimir Tarasenko in fantasy hockey?
- In 2025-26, Mathew Barzal scored 1.82 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52. Barzal had 72 points in 81 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 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 Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mathew Barzal leads in 22 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 Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 14 games against each other in our data, Barzal's team went 9–5. Barzal had 9 points (3 goals) and Tarasenko had 11 (6 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 →