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Who to start · 2025-26

Mika Zibanejad vs Mike Matheson

Mika ZibanejadMika ZibanejadRangers · CentrevsMike MathesonMike MathesonCanadiens · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mike Matheson's 1.80.

Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 games.

This week Zibanejad has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Matheson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Zibanejad for 1.4 ESPN points to Matheson's 1.3.

Mika Zibanejad has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Zibanejad's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 58.9%, Offensive-zone time 43.4%, High-danger chances 53.8%.

Matheson's biggest edges: Plus/minus +9, Ascension score 56, Top skating speed 22.8.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Mika Zibanejad

2.27

fantasy points per game

Mike Matheson

1.80

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mika Zibanejad has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromZibanejadMatheson
Goals (+2)0.810.17
Assists (+1)0.510.42
Power-play points (+0.5)0.210.01
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.250.16
Hits (+0.1)0.140.07
Blocks (+0.5)0.340.96

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: Zibanejad vs Matheson

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.

ZibanejadMatheson
19Team record in 29 meetings10
41Points in those games15

Zibanejad 16G 25A, 93 SOG · Matheson 3G 12A, 64 SOG

6Hits on each other2
2Shots blocked by the other0

Zibanejad blocked 2 of Matheson's shots; Matheson blocked 0 of Zibanejad's.

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

26:07 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Zibanejad's side

Shot attempts
24–20
54.5%
Expected goals
1.3–1.0
55.5%
Goals
3–1

Games against each other

Games between Mika Zibanejad and Mike Matheson
DateScoreZibanejadMatheson
2026-04-02NYR 2–3 MTL0G 1A 0S0G 1A 0S
2025-12-13NYR 5–4 MTL0G 1A 2S0G 0A 0S
2025-10-18NYR 4–3 MTL1G 1A 3S0G 0A 1S
2025-01-19NYR 4–5 MTL1G 0A 1S0G 0A 2S
2024-11-30NYR 4–3 MTL1G 1A 3S1G 0A 4S
2024-10-22NYR 7–2 MTL1G 0A 5S0G 1A 1S
2024-04-07NYR 5–2 MTL2G 1A 7S0G 2A 1S
2024-02-15NYR 7–4 MTL1G 2A 4S0G 1A 1S
2024-01-06NYR 3–4 MTL0G 0A 6S0G 0A 4S
2023-03-09NYR 4–3 MTL0G 0A 3S0G 0A 2S
2022-05-15 · PONYR 4–3 PIT1G 2A 4S0G 0A 2S
2022-05-13 · PONYR 5–3 PIT2G 2A 6S0G 0A 2S

Latest 12 of 29 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.

ZibanejadMatheson

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.

Mika Zibanejad

4games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
  • Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to CLikely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2B
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.4 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Mike Matheson

2games (1 left)

1.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
    Opp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.3 pts
    Opp allows the fewest FP to DLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Mika Zibanejad or Mike Matheson in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mike Matheson's 1.80. Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Matheson had 37 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, Mika Zibanejad or Mike Matheson?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mika Zibanejad 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 Zibanejad and Matheson done against each other?
In 29 games against each other in our data, Zibanejad's team went 19–10. Zibanejad had 41 points (16 goals) and Matheson had 15 (3 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 →