Who to start · 2025-26
Mika Zibanejad vs Pavel Buchnevich
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30.
Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 games.
This week Zibanejad has 1 game left; Buchnevich has 1 left. We project Zibanejad for 1.8 ESPN points to Buchnevich's 1.2.
Mika Zibanejad has the better number in 27 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Zibanejad's biggest edges: Faceoff win % 52.5%, Draw Equity /100 +0.016, Hits 105.
Buchnevich's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 26, Sequence xG 52.5%, Expected goals 52.5%.
- • 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, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mika Zibanejad
2.27
fantasy points per game
Pavel Buchnevich
1.30
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mika Zibanejad has the edge.
| Points per game from | Zibanejad | Buchnevich |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.46 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.51 | 0.32 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.08 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.14 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.34 | 0.23 |
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 Buchnevich
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 0G 3A, 12 SOG · Buchnevich 3G 1A, 24 SOG
Zibanejad's offensive zone 0–0 · neutral 1–0 · Zibanejad's defensive zone 1–0 (2022-23 to 2024-25)
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (Zibanejad's side)
11:23 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Zibanejad's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–10
- 37.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.6
- 36.8%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Zibanejad | Buchnevich |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-18 | NYR 2–1 STL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-11-24 | NYR 3–2 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-12-15 | NYR 2–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2024-11-25 | NYR 2–5 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2024-03-09 | NYR 4–0 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2023-04-06 | NYR 2–3 STL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-12-05 | NYR 6–4 STL | 0G 1A 0S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2022-03-02 | NYR 5–3 STL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
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)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOS
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBL
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.8 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Pavel Buchnevich
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DAL
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.2 ptsSchedule edge −12.8 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mika Zibanejad or Pavel Buchnevich 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 Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30. Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Buchnevich had 48 in 81 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 Pavel Buchnevich?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mika Zibanejad leads in 27 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 Buchnevich done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Zibanejad's team went 5–3. Zibanejad had 3 points (0 goals) and Buchnevich had 4 (3 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Zibanejad or Buchnevich?
- Against each other, Zibanejad has won 2 and Buchnevich 0 of their 2 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 →