Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.2.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 21 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1052, Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Ascension score 55.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.4%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.26, Power-play share 68.9%.
Head to head on the dot, Cirelli leads Schmaltz 10–8.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.30 |
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 Schmaltz
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Cirelli 5G 1A, 31 SOG · Schmaltz 3G 5A, 18 SOG
Cirelli's offensive zone 1–2 · neutral 4–1 · Cirelli's defensive zone 5–5 (2018-19 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
3:56 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–4
- 60.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.2
- 68.0%
- Goals
- 2–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-26 | TBL 2–0 UTA | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-02 | TBL 4–2 UTA | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-03-27 | TBL 8–0 UTA | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-03-22 | TBL 4–6 UTA | 1G 0A 4S | 1G 2A 2S |
| 2024-01-25 | TBL 6–3 ARI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 4S |
| 2023-11-28 | TBL 1–3 ARI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-02-15 | TBL 0–1 ARI | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2022-02-11 | TBL 4–3 ARI | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2020-02-22 | TBL 3–7 ARI | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2020-01-09 | TBL 4–0 ARI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-11-23 | TBL 4–2 CHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2018-10-21 | TBL 6–3 CHI | 1G 0A 9S | 1G 0A 3S |
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)
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 8th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Nick Schmaltz in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Schmaltz had 74 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 Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 21 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 Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 12 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 8–4. Cirelli had 6 points (5 goals) and Schmaltz had 8 (3 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Cirelli or Schmaltz?
- Against each other, Cirelli has won 10 and Schmaltz 8 of their 18 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 →