Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Robert Thomas
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Thomas has 1 left. We project Thomas for 1.9 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.2.
Robert Thomas has the better number in 20 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.37, Hits 50, Penalty minutes 48.
Thomas's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.0%, Top skating speed 23.3, Power-play share 56.5%.
Head to head on the dot, Thomas leads Cirelli 33–27.
- • 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, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Robert Thomas
1.89
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Robert Thomas has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.73 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.29 |
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 Thomas
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 6G 2A, 30 SOG · Thomas 1G 6A, 17 SOG
Cirelli's offensive zone 6–9 · neutral 7–7 · Cirelli's defensive zone 14–17 (2019-20 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
8:41 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 10–7
- 58.8%
- Expected goals
- 0.6–0.3
- 67.7%
- Goals
- 2–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Thomas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-22 | TBL 4–1 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-12-19 | TBL 3–1 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2023-12-19 | TBL 6–1 STL | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-11-14 | TBL 0–5 STL | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2023-01-14 | TBL 4–2 STL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2021-12-02 | TBL 4–2 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2021-11-30 | TBL 3–4 STL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2019-11-27 | TBL 3–4 STL | 1G 0A 7S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2019-11-19 | TBL 1–3 STL | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2019-03-23 | TBL 3–4 STL | 0G 1A 1S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2019-02-07 | TBL 0–1 STL | 0G 0A 3S | 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)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.2 ptsOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to C
Robert Thomas
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DALOpp allows 3rd-most FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to C
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Robert Thomas in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 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 Robert Thomas?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Robert Thomas leads in 20 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 Thomas done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 5–6. Cirelli had 8 points (6 goals) and Thomas had 7 (1 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Cirelli or Thomas?
- Against each other, Cirelli has won 27 and Thomas 33 of their 60 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 →