Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Leo Carlsson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Leo Carlsson projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Carlsson had 67 in 70 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Carlsson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Carlsson for 1.6 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.2.
Leo Carlsson has the better number in 19 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1052, Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.002.
Carlsson's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 44.5%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.29, Power-play time per game 3:23.
Head to head on the dot, Cirelli leads Carlsson 17–11.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Leo Carlsson
2.12
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Leo Carlsson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Carlsson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.12 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.26 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.02 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.23 |
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 Carlsson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Cirelli 4G 1A, 21 SOG · Carlsson 1G 2A, 13 SOG
Cirelli's offensive zone 8–4 · neutral 5–5 · Cirelli's defensive zone 4–2 (2023-24 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
14:09 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 18–18
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.7–0.8
- 47.5%
- Goals
- 1–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Carlsson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | TBL 4–3 ANA | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-25 | TBL 4–3 ANA | 2G 1A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-01-16 | TBL 4–3 ANA | 1G 0A 5S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2025-01-05 | TBL 1–4 ANA | 0G 0A 7S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-03-24 | TBL 3–2 ANA | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
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)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.2 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Leo Carlsson
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ VGKOpp allows 14th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs FLA1.6 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Leo Carlsson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Leo Carlsson projects to 2.12 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Carlsson had 67 in 70 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 Leo Carlsson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Leo Carlsson leads in 19 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Cirelli and Carlsson done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 4–1. Cirelli had 5 points (4 goals) and Carlsson had 3 (1 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Cirelli or Carlsson?
- Against each other, Cirelli has won 17 and Carlsson 11 of their 28 head-to-head draws.
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 →