Who to start · 2025-26
Pavel Zacha vs Vasily Podkolzin
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vasily Podkolzin projects to 1.91 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70.
Zacha had 65 points in 78 games; Podkolzin had 37 in 82 games.
This week Zacha has 1 game left; Podkolzin has 1 left. We project Zacha for 1.8 ESPN points to Podkolzin's 1.5.
Vasily Podkolzin has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Zacha's biggest edges: Power-play time per game 2:55, Faceoffs won 524, Power-play points 22.
Podkolzin's biggest edges: Ascension score 78, Forecheck xG /60 0.38, 20+ mph bursts 191.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 3 PPP, 11 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Pavel Zacha
1.70
fantasy points per game
Vasily Podkolzin
1.91
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Vasily Podkolzin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Zacha | Podkolzin |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.68 | 0.76 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.40 | 0.25 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.30 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.24 | 0.28 |
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 Podkolzin
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Zacha 2G 1A, 14 SOG · Podkolzin 1G 0A, 13 SOG
On the ice against each other (Zacha's side)
1:48 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Zacha's side
- Shot attempts
- 3–2
- 60.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.1
- 38.8%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Zacha | Podkolzin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | BOS 6–2 EDM | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-12-18 | BOS 1–3 EDM | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-01-07 | BOS 0–4 EDM | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2024-12-19 | BOS 2–3 EDM | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-02-25 | BOS 3–1 VAN | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-11-13 | BOS 5–2 VAN | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-03-15 | NJD 3–6 VAN | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-02-28 | NJD 7–2 VAN | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 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.
Pavel Zacha
3games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs NYR
- Fri, Oct 2 @ WPG
- Sat, Oct 3 @ MINB2B1.8 pts
Vasily Podkolzin
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
- Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
- Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.5 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Pavel Zacha or Vasily Podkolzin in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vasily Podkolzin projects to 1.91 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Zacha's 1.70. Zacha had 65 points in 78 games; Podkolzin had 37 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 Vasily Podkolzin?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Vasily Podkolzin leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Zacha and Podkolzin done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Zacha's team went 4–4. Zacha had 3 points (2 goals) and Podkolzin had 1 (1 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 →