Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Bowen Byram
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Anthony Cirelli projects to 1.67 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Byram had 42 in 82 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left; Byram has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Byram for 2.0 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.5.
Anthony Cirelli has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Goals above expected +2.9, High-danger chances 56.6%.
Byram's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 0.41, 20+ mph bursts 107, Top skating speed 22.9.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Bowen Byram
1.37
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Anthony Cirelli has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Byram |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.24 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.33 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.04 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.12 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.59 |
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: Cirelli vs Byram
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.
Cirelli 5G 7A, 35 SOG · Byram 2G 9A, 33 SOG
Cirelli blocked 3 of Byram's shots; Byram blocked 3 of Cirelli's.
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
7:23 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–10
- 33.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.7
- 34.2%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Byram |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-08 | TBL 7–8 BUF | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 3A 7S |
| 2026-02-28 | TBL 2–6 BUF | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2025-04-13 | TBL 7–4 BUF | 0G 2A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-04-05 | TBL 2–3 BUF | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-03-06 | TBL 6–5 BUF | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-04-15 | TBL 2–4 BUF | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-02-15 | TBL 6–3 COL | 1G 0A 4S | 2G 0A 2S |
| 2023-11-27 | TBL 1–4 COL | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-02-14 | TBL 4–3 COL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2023-02-09 | TBL 5–0 COL | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-06-26 · PO | TBL 1–2 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-06-24 · PO | TBL 3–2 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
Latest 12 of 17 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.
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.
Anthony Cirelli
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 10th-most FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.5 ptsSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Bowen Byram
3games (1 left)
2.0proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ VGKOpp allows 5th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ UTAOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF2.0 ptsOpp allows 8th-most FP to DSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Bowen Byram in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Anthony Cirelli projects to 1.67 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Byram had 42 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, Anthony Cirelli or Bowen Byram?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Anthony Cirelli leads in 20 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Cirelli and Byram done against each other?
- In 17 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 7–10. Cirelli had 12 points (5 goals) and Byram had 11 (2 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 →