Who to start · 2025-26
Mika Zibanejad vs Pavel Dorofeyev
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Dorofeyev's 1.90.
Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Dorofeyev had 64 in 82 games.
This week Zibanejad has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Dorofeyev has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Zibanejad for 1.4 ESPN points to Dorofeyev's 1.4.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.
Zibanejad's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 574, Hits 105, Blocked shots 50.
Dorofeyev's biggest edges: Fenwick 54.8%, Transition attempts /60 1.65, Expected goals 56.4%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 6 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 12 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Mika Zibanejad
2.27
fantasy points per game
Pavel Dorofeyev
1.90
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mika Zibanejad has the edge.
| Points per game from | Zibanejad | Dorofeyev |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.81 | 0.86 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.51 | 0.33 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.21 | 0.18 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.30 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.14 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.34 | 0.20 |
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 Dorofeyev
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Zibanejad 3G 4A, 20 SOG · Dorofeyev 0G 2A, 20 SOG
Zibanejad blocked 1 of Dorofeyev's shots; Dorofeyev blocked 0 of Zibanejad's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice against each other (Zibanejad's side)
6:34 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Zibanejad's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–8
- 33.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.2
- 41.5%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Zibanejad | Dorofeyev |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-07 | NYR 2–3 VGK | 1G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-11-18 | NYR 2–3 VGK | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-02-02 | NYR 4–2 VGK | 1G 2A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-11 | NYR 2–1 VGK | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-01-26 | NYR 2–5 VGK | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-01-18 | NYR 1–5 VGK | 1G 0A 3S | 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.
Mika Zibanejad
4games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOSOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBLOpp allows 11th-most FP to CLikely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2BOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.4 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Pavel Dorofeyev
4games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ BOSOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Jeremy Swayman (.908)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs TBLOpp allows the most FP to RWLikely vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (.912)
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DETB2BOpp allows 8th-most FP to RWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs John Gibson (.901)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs UTA1.4 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Mika Zibanejad or Pavel Dorofeyev 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 Dorofeyev's 1.90. Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Dorofeyev had 64 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 Pavel Dorofeyev?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Zibanejad and Dorofeyev done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, Zibanejad's team went 2–4. Zibanejad had 7 points (3 goals) and Dorofeyev had 2 (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 →