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Who to start · 2025-26

Nick Schmaltz vs Trevor Zegras

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Trevor Zegras's 1.53.

Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Zegras had 67 in 81 games.

This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Zegras has 1 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to Zegras's 1.2.

Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 28 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Schmaltz's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052, Top skating speed 23.2, Hardest shot 89.3.

Zegras's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.69, Penalty minutes 62, Hits 46.

  • • 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, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Nick Schmaltz

2.05

fantasy points per game

Trevor Zegras

1.53

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchmaltzZegras
Goals (+2)0.880.57
Assists (+1)0.470.45
Power-play points (+0.5)0.110.13
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.250.19
Hits (+0.1)0.030.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.300.15

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 Zegras

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2020-21 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

SchmaltzZegras
12Team record in 18 meetings6
18Points in those games14

Schmaltz 3G 15A, 50 SOG · Zegras 4G 10A, 49 SOG

3Faceoffs against each other1

Schmaltz's offensive zone 1–0 · neutral 0–1 · Schmaltz's defensive zone 2–0 (2020-21 to 2023-24)

1Hits on each other0
0Shots blocked by the other1

Schmaltz blocked 0 of Zegras's shots; Zegras blocked 1 of Schmaltz's.

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

6:59 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schmaltz's side

Shot attempts
5–10
33.3%
Expected goals
0.3–1.0
21.0%
Goals
0–1

Games against each other

Games between Nick Schmaltz and Trevor Zegras
DateScoreSchmaltzZegras
2026-03-05UTA 3–0 PHI1G 1A 2S0G 0A 3S
2026-01-21UTA 5–4 PHI0G 2A 1S0G 2A 2S
2025-03-12UTA 3–2 ANA0G 0A 4S0G 1A 1S
2024-10-16UTA 4–5 ANA0G 2A 5S0G 1A 5S
2023-12-29ARI 2–0 ANA0G 1A 1S0G 0A 1S
2023-11-01ARI 3–4 ANA0G 0A 4S0G 0A 1S
2023-10-21ARI 2–1 ANA0G 1A 4S0G 0A 8S
2023-04-08ARI 5–4 ANA0G 2A 3S0G 1A 0S
2023-01-28ARI 1–2 ANA0G 0A 0S1G 0A 3S
2023-01-24ARI 2–5 ANA1G 0A 8S0G 1A 3S
2022-04-01ARI 0–5 ANA0G 0A 1S1G 0A 4S
2021-12-17ARI 6–5 ANA0G 2A 2S1G 1A 4S

Latest 12 of 18 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.

SchmaltzZegras

Fantasy box score

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)

3.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 pts
    Opp allows 16th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.4 pts
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)

Trevor Zegras

3games (1 left)

1.2proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
    Opp allows the fewest FP to CLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 8th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.2 pts
    Opp allows 13th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)

FAQ

Should I start Nick Schmaltz or Trevor Zegras 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 Trevor Zegras's 1.53. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Zegras had 67 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, Nick Schmaltz or Trevor Zegras?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 28 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 Zegras done against each other?
In 18 games against each other in our data, Schmaltz's team went 12–6. Schmaltz had 18 points (3 goals) and Zegras had 14 (4 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, Schmaltz or Zegras?
Against each other, Schmaltz has won 3 and Zegras 1 of their 4 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 →