Who to start · 2025-26
Mika Zibanejad vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nick Schmaltz's 2.05.
Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week Zibanejad has 1 game left; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 4.1 ESPN points to Zibanejad's 2.3.
Mika Zibanejad has the better number in 18 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Zibanejad's biggest edges: Hits 105, Faceoff win % 52.5%, Draw Equity /100 +0.016.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Plus/minus +17, Fenwick 55.7%, Corsi 55.9%.
Head to head on the dot, Zibanejad leads Schmaltz 17–16.
- • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 6 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mika Zibanejad
2.27
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mika Zibanejad has the edge.
| Points per game from | Zibanejad | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.51 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.14 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.34 | 0.30 |
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 Schmaltz
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.
Zibanejad 4G 9A, 26 SOG · Schmaltz 1G 17A, 24 SOG
Zibanejad's offensive zone 1–4 · neutral 13–6 · Zibanejad's defensive zone 3–6 (2017-18 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Zibanejad's side)
12:26 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Zibanejad's side
- Shot attempts
- 12–8
- 60.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.5
- 45.2%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Zibanejad | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-05 | NYR 2–3 UTA | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-11-22 | NYR 2–3 UTA | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-01-16 | NYR 5–3 UTA | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2024-10-12 | NYR 5–6 UTA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2024-03-30 | NYR 8–5 ARI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 1S |
| 2023-10-16 | NYR 2–1 ARI | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2022-01-22 | NYR 7–3 ARI | 0G 3A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2021-12-15 | NYR 3–2 ARI | 1G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2019-10-22 | NYR 2–3 ARI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2018-12-14 | NYR 3–4 ARI | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2018-10-25 | NYR 1–4 CHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2018-01-03 | NYR 2–5 CHI | 1G 0A 5S | 1G 1A 3S |
Latest 12 of 13 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.
Mika Zibanejad
4games (1 left)
2.3proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2B
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA2.3 pts
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
4.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ2.0 pts
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mika Zibanejad or Nick Schmaltz 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 Nick Schmaltz's 2.05. Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 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 Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mika Zibanejad leads in 18 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Zibanejad and Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, Zibanejad's team went 5–8. Zibanejad had 13 points (4 goals) and Schmaltz had 18 (1 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Zibanejad or Schmaltz?
- Against each other, Zibanejad has won 17 and Schmaltz 16 of their 33 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 →