Scouting Report
Mika Zibanejad holds a +7.5% 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 51.8% (-7.5%)
H2H factor
Not applied (5 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Malkin 55.7%
Defensive zone
Zibanejad 86.6%
Neutral zone
Zibanejad 71.5%
Result
Mika Zibanejad favored at 69.1%
30.9%
69.1%
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)
53.3% (807)
-7.6%
Power Play
34.6% (26)
47.6% (42)
-13.0%
On power play, Zibanejad has a +13.0% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Zibanejad shoots right. Malkin is 42.6% vs right-shot opponents (68).
Malkin shoots left. Zibanejad is 52.0% vs left-shot opponents (729).
Home / Away
Malkin
Zibanejad
Home
50.4% (113)
49.8% (466)
Away
39.4% (132)
54.0% (530)
By Period
Malkin
Zibanejad
P1
47.7%
52.9%
P2
44.9%
51.2%
P3
40.0%
51.7%
OT
100.0%
60.0%
Final 5 min
35.3%
57.0%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Malkin
36.0%▼
46.0%
44.5%
Zibanejad
58.0%▲
53.0%
52.0%
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 |