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Who to start · 2025-26

Mika Zibanejad vs Travis Sanheim

Mika ZibanejadMika ZibanejadRangers · CentrevsTravis SanheimTravis SanheimFlyers · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mika Zibanejad projects to 2.27 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Travis Sanheim's 1.84.

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

This week Zibanejad has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Sanheim has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Sanheim for 2.1 ESPN points to Zibanejad's 1.4.

Mika Zibanejad has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Zibanejad's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 58.9%, Offensive-zone time 43.4%, Power-play share 77.5%.

Sanheim's biggest edges: Plus/minus +12, Top skating speed 22.7, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.12.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Mika Zibanejad

2.27

fantasy points per game

Travis Sanheim

1.84

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mika Zibanejad has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromZibanejadSanheim
Goals (+2)0.810.36
Assists (+1)0.510.34
Power-play points (+0.5)0.210.02
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.02
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.250.14
Hits (+0.1)0.140.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.340.92

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 Sanheim

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.

ZibanejadSanheim
18Team record in 35 meetings17
47Points in those games21

Zibanejad 22G 25A, 98 SOG · Sanheim 5G 16A, 61 SOG

7Hits on each other3
2Shots blocked by the other5

Zibanejad blocked 2 of Sanheim's shots; Sanheim blocked 5 of Zibanejad's.

1Penalties drawn off the other0

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

23:11 at 5-on-5 over 4 games, 2025-26, from Zibanejad's side

Shot attempts
29–20
59.2%
Expected goals
1.1–0.7
62.6%
Goals
2–3

Games against each other

Games between Mika Zibanejad and Travis Sanheim
DateScoreZibanejadSanheim
2026-03-09NYR 6–2 PHI2G 1A 3S0G 0A 0S
2026-02-26NYR 2–3 PHI0G 0A 3S0G 1A 1S
2026-01-17NYR 6–3 PHI3G 0A 4S1G 1A 2S
2025-12-20NYR 5–4 PHI1G 1A 3S1G 1A 2S
2025-04-09NYR 5–8 PHI0G 4A 3S1G 1A 2S
2025-01-23NYR 6–1 PHI0G 0A 2S0G 0A 3S
2024-11-29NYR 1–3 PHI0G 0A 2S0G 1A 0S
2024-04-11NYR 1–4 PHI0G 1A 1S0G 1A 2S
2024-03-26NYR 6–5 PHI1G 1A 4S0G 1A 1S
2024-02-24NYR 2–1 PHI0G 0A 1S0G 1A 3S
2023-11-24NYR 3–1 PHI2G 0A 4S0G 0A 4S
2023-03-01NYR 3–2 PHI1G 0A 2S0G 0A 1S

Latest 12 of 35 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.

ZibanejadSanheim

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)

Travis Sanheim

3games (1 left)

2.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
    Opp allows the fewest FP to DLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR2.1 pts
    Opp allows 10th-most FP to DSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Mika Zibanejad or Travis Sanheim 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 Travis Sanheim's 1.84. Zibanejad had 78 points in 81 games; Sanheim had 37 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 Travis Sanheim?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mika Zibanejad leads in 20 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 Sanheim done against each other?
In 35 games against each other in our data, Zibanejad's team went 18–17. Zibanejad had 47 points (22 goals) and Sanheim had 21 (5 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 →