Scouting Report
Mika Zibanejad holds a +7.3% FO% edge overall. Look for Malkin on neutral-zone draws (67% H2H, 3 meetings). Malkin wins 42.6% vs right-shot opponents — Zibanejad shoots right.
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Malkin 46.1% vs Zibanejad 51.6% (-7.3%)
H2H factor
Not applied (5 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Malkin 59.8%
Defensive zone
Zibanejad 84.5%
Neutral zone
Zibanejad 69.3%
Result
Mika Zibanejad favored at 66.5%
33.5%
66.5%
Malkin
Zibanejad
Head-to-Head Record
3
-
2
(5 meetings)
3
2
Malkin
Zibanejad
Last 5: Malkin 3-2 Zibanejad
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Malkin
1
0
Malkin
Zibanejad
1 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Zibanejad
0
1
Malkin
Zibanejad
1 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Malkin
2
1
Malkin
Zibanejad
3 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Malkin
Zibanejad
Edge
Even Strength
45.7% (219)
53.4% (770)
-7.7%
Power Play
34.6% (26)
46.2% (39)
-11.6%
On power play, Zibanejad has a +11.6% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Zibanejad shoots right. Malkin is 42.6% vs right-shot opponents (68).
Malkin shoots left. Zibanejad is 51.1% vs left-shot opponents (697).
Home / Away
Malkin
Zibanejad
Home
50.4% (113)
49.0% (429)
Away
39.4% (132)
54.1% (521)
By Period
Malkin
Zibanejad
P1
47.7%
53.0%
P2
44.9%
51.1%
P3
40.0%
51.0%
OT
100.0%
60.0%
Final 5 min
35.3%
56.5%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Malkin
36.0%▼
46.0%
44.5%
Zibanejad
50.0%▼
51.5%
51.8%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 28, 2026 | 1 | 12:00 | Neutral | Evgeni Malkin |
| Feb 28, 2026 | 1 | 03:00 | Neutral | Mika Zibanejad |
| Feb 28, 2026 | 1 | 02:36 | Offensive | Evgeni Malkin |
| Oct 11, 2025 | 3 | 13:18 | Defensive | Mika Zibanejad |
| Oct 11, 2025 | 1 | 10:41 | Neutral | Evgeni Malkin |