Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Schmaltz vs Pavel Zacha
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.
Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 games.
This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Zacha has 1 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.4 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.3.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 26 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Expected goals 55.8%, Sequence xG 55.9%, Offensive-zone start % 65.4%.
Zacha's biggest edges: Faceoff win % 53.3%, Draw Equity /100 +0.035, Hits 64.
Head to head on the dot, Schmaltz leads Zacha 8–5.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Pavel Zacha
1.70
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schmaltz | Zacha |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.88 | 0.68 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.47 | 0.40 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 0.24 |
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: Schmaltz vs Zacha
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.
Schmaltz 4G 7A, 22 SOG · Zacha 2G 4A, 24 SOG
Schmaltz's offensive zone 4–2 · neutral 3–1 · Schmaltz's defensive zone 1–2 (2023-24 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Schmaltz's side)
8:47 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schmaltz's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–9
- 40.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.2
- 23.3%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schmaltz | Zacha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-16 | UTA 1–4 BOS | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-10-19 | UTA 3–2 BOS | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-11-21 | UTA 0–1 BOS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-10-19 | UTA 2–1 BOS | 0G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2024-01-09 | ARI 4–3 BOS | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-12-09 | ARI 3–5 BOS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-12-09 | ARI 4–3 BOS | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-04-12 | ARI 2–6 NJD | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2022-01-19 | ARI 4–1 NJD | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-12-14 | ARI 1–2 NJD | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2019-10-25 | ARI 5–3 NJD | 1G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2017-12-23 | CHI 1–4 NJD | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 1S |
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.
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 ptsSchedule edge −1.0 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.7 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Pavel Zacha
3games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.3 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Schmaltz or Pavel Zacha in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Zacha had 65 in 78 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, Nick Schmaltz or Pavel Zacha?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 26 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schmaltz and Zacha done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, Schmaltz's team went 6–7. Schmaltz had 11 points (4 goals) and Zacha had 6 (2 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Schmaltz or Zacha?
- Against each other, Schmaltz has won 8 and Zacha 5 of their 13 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 →