Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Ivan Demidov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Anthony Cirelli projects to 1.67 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Demidov had 62 in 82 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left; Demidov has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Cirelli for 1.5 ESPN points to Demidov's 1.2.
Anthony Cirelli has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 518, Corsi 56.1%, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.002.
Demidov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.7%, Hardest shot 90.1, Power-play share 63.8%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Ivan Demidov
1.38
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Anthony Cirelli has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Demidov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.43 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.49 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.15 |
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 Demidov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Cirelli 0G 3A, 10 SOG · Demidov 1G 4A, 21 SOG
Cirelli blocked 3 of Demidov's shots; Demidov blocked 0 of Cirelli's.
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
24:21 at 5-on-5 over 8 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 29–24
- 54.7%
- Expected goals
- 2.0–1.7
- 54.4%
- Goals
- 2–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Demidov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-03 · PO | TBL 1–2 MTL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-05-01 · PO | TBL 1–0 MTL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2026-04-29 · PO | TBL 2–3 MTL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-04-26 · PO | TBL 3–2 MTL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-24 · PO | TBL 2–3 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2026-04-21 · PO | TBL 3–2 MTL | 0G 2A 0S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-04-19 · PO | TBL 3–4 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2026-04-09 | TBL 1–2 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-03-31 | TBL 1–4 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-28 | TBL 5–4 MTL | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2025-12-09 | TBL 6–1 MTL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
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)
Ivan Demidov
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 11th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.2 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Ivan Demidov 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 Demidov's 1.38. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Demidov had 62 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 Demidov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Anthony Cirelli leads in 22 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 Demidov done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 5–6. Cirelli had 3 points (0 goals) and Demidov had 5 (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 →