Who to start · 2025-26
Matthew Schaefer vs Vladimir Tarasenko
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52.
Schaefer had 59 points in 82 games; Tarasenko had 47 in 75 games.
This week Schaefer has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Tarasenko has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Tarasenko's 1.2.
Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 22 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Schaefer's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 269, Faceoffs won 0, Top skating speed 23.1.
Tarasenko's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.28, Hits 60, Luck Meter +35.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Matthew Schaefer
2.11
fantasy points per game
Vladimir Tarasenko
1.52
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schaefer | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.56 | 0.61 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.44 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.09 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.27 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.68 | 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: Schaefer vs Tarasenko
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.
Schaefer 0G 0A, 1 SOG · Tarasenko 0G 0A, 4 SOG
On the ice against each other (Schaefer's side)
6:55 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schaefer's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–3
- 57.1%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.0
- 56.4%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schaefer | Tarasenko |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-10 | NYI 4–3 MIN | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-07 | NYI 2–5 MIN | 0G 0A 1S | 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.
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. 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 NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge +4.1 win%vs Nico Daws (.908)
Vladimir Tarasenko
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSHOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.2 ptsOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +12.8 win%Likely vs Michael DiPietro (1.000)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Matthew Schaefer or Vladimir Tarasenko 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 Vladimir Tarasenko's 1.52. Schaefer had 59 points in 82 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, Matthew Schaefer or Vladimir Tarasenko?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer 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 Schaefer and Tarasenko done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Schaefer's team went 1–1. Schaefer had 0 points (0 goals) and Tarasenko had 0 (0 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 →