Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Anthony Cirelli vs Will Smith

Anthony CirelliAnthony CirelliLightning · CentrevsWill SmithWill SmithSharks · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.

Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.

This week Cirelli has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Smith has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Smith for 1.9 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.2.

Anthony Cirelli has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Cirelli's biggest edges: High-danger chances 56.6%, Blocked shots 47, Penalty minutes 48.

Smith's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.05, Offensive-zone time 44.3%, Power-play time per game 3:14.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Anthony Cirelli

1.67

fantasy points per game

Will Smith

1.94

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Will Smith has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromCirelliSmith
Goals (+2)0.610.90
Assists (+1)0.380.54
Power-play points (+0.5)0.030.15
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.030.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.180.24
Hits (+0.1)0.070.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.370.08

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

Anthony Cirelli and Will Smith have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

CirelliSmith

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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 @ NYR
    Opp allows 15th-fewest FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.2 pts
    Opp allows 9th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Will Smith

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
    Opp allows 10th-fewest FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 pts
    Opp allows the most FP to C

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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 Will Smith?
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.

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 →