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Who to start · 2025-26

Mika Zibanejad vs Nico Hischier

Mika ZibanejadMika ZibanejadRangers · CentrevsNico HischierNico HischierDevils · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nico Hischier's 1.93.

Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Hischier had 66 in 82 games.

This week Zibanejad has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Hischier has 1 left. We project Hischier for 1.9 ESPN points to Zibanejad's 1.4.

They split the 36 stats both are ranked on 18–18.

Zibanejad's biggest edges: Goals above expected +5.8, Luck Meter +47, On-ice PDO 1002.

Hischier's biggest edges: Fenwick 53.2%, Corsi 54.0%, Penalty minutes 29.

Head to head on the dot, Hischier leads Zibanejad 180–134.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Mika Zibanejad

2.27

fantasy points per game

Nico Hischier

1.93

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mika Zibanejad has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromZibanejadHischier
Goals (+2)0.810.64
Assists (+1)0.510.43
Power-play points (+0.5)0.210.13
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.250.25
Hits (+0.1)0.140.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.340.39

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 Hischier

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.

ZibanejadHischier
20Team record in 38 meetings18
36Points in those games31

Zibanejad 15G 21A, 100 SOG · Hischier 8G 23A, 103 SOG

134Faceoffs against each other180

Zibanejad's offensive zone 25–58 · neutral 61–59 · Zibanejad's defensive zone 48–63 (2017-18 to 2025-26)

2Hits on each other4
0Shots blocked by the other3

Zibanejad blocked 0 of Hischier's shots; Hischier blocked 3 of Zibanejad's.

0Penalties drawn off the other1

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

14:44 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Zibanejad's side

Shot attempts
20–18
52.6%
Expected goals
1.2–0.5
70.0%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Mika Zibanejad and Nico Hischier
DateScoreZibanejadHischier
2026-03-31NYR 4–1 NJD1G 0A 2S0G 1A 1S
2026-03-18NYR 3–6 NJD1G 0A 2S1G 1A 3S
2026-03-07NYR 3–6 NJD0G 0A 1S1G 0A 1S
2025-04-05NYR 0–4 NJD0G 0A 2S1G 2A 1S
2025-01-09NYR 3–2 NJD0G 1A 2S0G 0A 1S
2024-12-23NYR 0–5 NJD0G 0A 0S0G 1A 2S
2024-12-02NYR 1–5 NJD0G 1A 5S0G 0A 2S
2024-04-03NYR 4–3 NJD0G 0A 3S1G 0A 3S
2024-03-11NYR 3–1 NJD1G 0A 7S0G 1A 3S
2024-02-22NYR 5–1 NJD1G 0A 4S0G 0A 6S
2023-05-01 · PONYR 0–4 NJD0G 0A 3S0G 1A 3S
2023-04-29 · PONYR 5–2 NJD1G 1A 2S0G 1A 3S

Latest 12 of 38 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.

ZibanejadHischier

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)

Nico Hischier

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs PHI
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Joseph Woll (.899)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ NYI1.9 pts
    Opp allows 15th-most FP to CSchedule edge −4.0 win%vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Mika Zibanejad or Nico Hischier 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 Nico Hischier's 1.93. Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Hischier had 66 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 Nico Hischier?
On 2025-26 numbers they split 18–18 across 36 stats where both qualify.
How have Zibanejad and Hischier done against each other?
In 38 games against each other in our data, Zibanejad's team went 20–18. Zibanejad had 36 points (15 goals) and Hischier had 31 (8 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, Zibanejad or Hischier?
Against each other, Zibanejad has won 134 and Hischier 180 of their 314 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 →