Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Matthew Schaefer
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left; Schaefer has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schaefer for 2.4 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.5.
Anthony Cirelli has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.37, High-danger chances 56.6%, Expected goals 57.0%.
Schaefer's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59, Transition attempts /60 0.60, Offensive-zone time 43.7%.
- • 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, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Matthew Schaefer
2.02
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.53 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.67 |
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 Schaefer
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 0A, 14 SOG · Schaefer 1G 0A, 7 SOG
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
26:39 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 34–20
- 63.0%
- Expected goals
- 1.3–0.9
- 59.3%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-13 | TBL 2–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2025-12-06 | TBL 0–2 NYI | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-12-02 | TBL 1–2 NYI | 0G 0A 6S | 0G 0A 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)
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Anthony Stolarz (.893)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to DLikely vs Jake Allen (.904)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Schaefer had 59 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 Matthew Schaefer?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Anthony Cirelli leads in 18 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 Schaefer done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 0–3. Cirelli had 0 points (0 goals) and Schaefer had 1 (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 →