Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Anthony Cirelli vs Ivan Barbashev

Anthony CirelliAnthony CirelliLightning · CentrevsIvan BarbashevIvan BarbashevGolden Knights · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Anthony Cirelli projects to 1.67 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Barbashev's 1.59.

Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Barbashev had 61 in 82 games.

This week Cirelli has 1 game left; Barbashev has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Barbashev for 1.8 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.5.

Anthony Cirelli has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Cirelli's biggest edges: Ascension score 55, Penalty minutes 48, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.002.

Barbashev's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.54, Hits 137, Offensive-zone time 42.5%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Anthony Cirelli

1.67

fantasy points per game

Ivan Barbashev

1.59

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Anthony Cirelli has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromCirelliBarbashev
Goals (+2)0.610.49
Assists (+1)0.380.53
Power-play points (+0.5)0.030.03
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.030.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.180.15
Hits (+0.1)0.070.18
Blocks (+0.5)0.370.20

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

Anthony Cirelli and Ivan Barbashev have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

CirelliBarbashev

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.

Anthony Cirelli

2games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
    Opp allows 10th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.5 pts
    Schedule edge +9.3 win%

Ivan Barbashev

3games (1 left)

1.8proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to LW
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.8 pts
    Opp allows 5th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Ivan Barbashev 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 Ivan Barbashev's 1.59. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Barbashev had 61 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 Ivan Barbashev?
On 2025-26 numbers, Anthony Cirelli leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →