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Who to start · 2025-26

Pavel Zacha vs Tomas Hertl

Pavel ZachaPavel ZachaBruins · CentrevsTomas HertlTomas HertlGolden Knights · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tomas Hertl projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.

Zacha had 65 points in 78 games; Hertl had 58 in 82 games.

This week Zacha has 1 game left; Hertl has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Hertl for 2.0 ESPN points to Zacha's 1.0.

Tomas Hertl has the better number in 24 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Zacha's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.4, Luck Meter +68, On-ice PDO 1036.

Hertl's biggest edges: High-danger chances 59.2%, Ascension score 61, Expected goals 55.2%.

Head to head on the dot, Zacha leads Hertl 16–12.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Pavel Zacha

1.70

fantasy points per game

Tomas Hertl

1.88

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Tomas Hertl has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromZachaHertl
Goals (+2)0.680.63
Assists (+1)0.400.37
Power-play points (+0.5)0.120.17
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.180.27
Hits (+0.1)0.080.14
Blocks (+0.5)0.240.30

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: Zacha vs Hertl

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.

ZachaHertl
7Team record in 13 meetings6
4Points in those games8

Zacha 1G 3A, 21 SOG · Hertl 4G 4A, 37 SOG

16Faceoffs against each other12

Zacha's offensive zone 6–4 · neutral 4–4 · Zacha's defensive zone 6–4 (2017-18 to 2025-26)

1Hits on each other1
0Penalties drawn off the other1

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

3:47 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Zacha's side

Shot attempts
1–9
10.0%
Expected goals
0.0–0.4
0.0%
Goals
0–1

Games against each other

Games between Pavel Zacha and Tomas Hertl
DateScoreZachaHertl
2026-01-22BOS 4–3 VGK0G 0A 4S1G 0A 9S
2025-10-16BOS 5–6 VGK0G 0A 0S1G 0A 6S
2025-03-20BOS 1–5 VGK0G 1A 0S0G 0A 2S
2025-02-08BOS 3–4 VGK0G 0A 1S1G 0A 3S
2023-11-30BOS 3–0 SJS1G 1A 3S0G 0A 1S
2023-10-19BOS 3–1 SJS0G 0A 4S0G 1A 0S
2023-01-22BOS 4–0 SJS0G 0A 1S0G 0A 3S
2023-01-07BOS 4–2 SJS0G 0A 1S0G 0A 3S
2021-11-30NJD 2–5 SJS0G 1A 4S0G 0A 3S
2021-11-06NJD 3–2 SJS0G 0A 1S0G 0A 3S
2018-12-10NJD 2–5 SJS0G 0A 0S1G 1A 1S
2018-10-14NJD 3–2 SJS0G 0A 1S0G 1A 3S

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.

ZachaHertl

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.

Pavel Zacha

3games (1 left)

1.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to C
  • Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.0 pts
    Opp allows 11th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%

Tomas Hertl

3games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to C
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to C
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN2.0 pts
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Pavel Zacha or Tomas Hertl in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tomas Hertl projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Zacha had 65 points in 78 games; Hertl had 58 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, Pavel Zacha or Tomas Hertl?
On 2025-26 numbers, Tomas Hertl leads in 24 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Zacha and Hertl done against each other?
In 13 games against each other in our data, Zacha's team went 7–6. Zacha had 4 points (1 goals) and Hertl had 8 (4 goals).
Who wins more faceoffs, Zacha or Hertl?
Against each other, Zacha has won 16 and Hertl 12 of their 28 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 →