Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Matthew Schaefer vs Pavel Zacha

Matthew SchaeferMatthew SchaeferIslanders · DefencevsPavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.

Schaefer had 59 points in 82 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.

This week Schaefer has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Zacha has 1 left. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Schaefer's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59, 20+ mph bursts 269, Transition attempts /60 0.60.

Zacha's biggest edges: Hardest shot 93.0, On-ice PDO 1036, Luck Meter +68.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Matthew Schaefer

2.02

fantasy points per game

Pavel Zacha

1.70

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchaeferZacha
Goals (+2)0.530.68
Assists (+1)0.410.40
Power-play points (+0.5)0.100.12
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.270.18
Hits (+0.1)0.050.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.670.24

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: Schaefer vs Zacha

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

SchaeferZacha
0Team record in 3 meetings3
2Points in those games2

Schaefer 0G 2A, 17 SOG · Zacha 1G 1A, 4 SOG

0Hits on each other4

On the ice against each other (Schaefer's side)

19:36 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Schaefer's side

Shot attempts
17–8
68.0%
Expected goals
1.1–0.1
87.9%
Goals
1–0

Games against each other

Games between Matthew Schaefer and Pavel Zacha
DateScoreSchaeferZacha
2025-11-26NYI 1–3 BOS0G 1A 7S0G 0A 0S
2025-11-04NYI 3–4 BOS0G 1A 5S1G 0A 3S
2025-10-28NYI 2–5 BOS0G 0A 5S0G 1A 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.

SchaeferZacha

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Matthew Schaefer

2games (1 left)

2.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ TOR
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to CLikely vs Stuart Skinner (.888)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −12.7 win%vs Jesper Wallstedt (.916)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Matthew Schaefer or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Schaefer had 59 points in 82 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, Matthew Schaefer or Pavel Zacha?
On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Schaefer and Zacha done against each other?
In 3 games against each other in our data, Schaefer's team went 0–3. Schaefer had 2 points (0 goals) and Zacha had 2 (1 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 →