Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Mike Matheson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left; Matheson has 1 left. We project Matheson for 1.8 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.7.
Anthony Cirelli has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: High-danger chances 56.6%, Corsi 56.1%, Fenwick 55.1%.
Matheson's biggest edges: Hardest shot 100.6, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.06, 20+ mph bursts 90.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Mike Matheson
1.80
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mike Matheson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Matheson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.17 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.42 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.96 |
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 Matheson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Cirelli 4G 10A, 40 SOG · Matheson 2G 10A, 52 SOG
Cirelli blocked 2 of Matheson's shots; Matheson blocked 1 of Cirelli's.
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
65:47 at 5-on-5 over 11 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 64–58
- 52.5%
- Expected goals
- 2.8–2.6
- 52.2%
- Goals
- 2–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Matheson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 0S |
| 2026-04-29 · PO | TBL 2–3 MTL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-04-26 · PO | TBL 3–2 MTL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 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 2S |
| 2026-04-19 · PO | TBL 3–4 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2026-04-09 | TBL 1–2 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2026-03-31 | TBL 1–4 MTL | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-28 | TBL 5–4 MTL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-12-09 | TBL 6–1 MTL | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-02-09 | TBL 5–3 MTL | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 5S |
Latest 12 of 31 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)
1.7proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.7 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.8 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Mike Matheson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 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 Mike Matheson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Anthony Cirelli leads in 24 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 Matheson done against each other?
- In 31 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 21–10. Cirelli had 14 points (4 goals) and Matheson had 12 (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 →