Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Zach Werenski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Werenski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Werenski for 1.9 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.2.
They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.
Cirelli's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 48, On-ice PDO 1052, Plus/minus +38.
Werenski's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.01, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.09, Offensive-zone time 44.2%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Zach Werenski
2.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Zach Werenski has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Werenski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.55 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.86 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.62 |
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 Werenski
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 7A, 42 SOG · Werenski 8G 19A, 63 SOG
Cirelli blocked 4 of Werenski's shots; Werenski blocked 0 of Cirelli's.
On the ice against each other (Cirelli's side)
20:32 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Cirelli's side
- Shot attempts
- 26–20
- 56.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.7–0.9
- 42.4%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Werenski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-10 | TBL 2–5 CBJ | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 2A 0S |
| 2026-01-24 | TBL 5–8 CBJ | 1G 2A 1S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2025-10-18 | TBL 2–3 CBJ | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-03-04 | TBL 6–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 4S |
| 2024-12-17 | TBL 5–3 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-11-21 | TBL 6–7 CBJ | 1G 1A 2S | 2G 3A 8S |
| 2024-04-09 | TBL 5–2 CBJ | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-02-10 | TBL 4–2 CBJ | 1G 1A 4S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2023-11-02 | TBL 2–4 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-04-26 | TBL 4–1 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2021-04-08 | TBL 6–4 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2021-04-06 | TBL 2–4 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
Latest 12 of 24 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)
1.2proj. 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)
Zach Werenski
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 11th-most FP to DLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.9 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Zach Werenski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 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 Zach Werenski?
- On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
- How have Cirelli and Werenski done against each other?
- In 24 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 12–12. Cirelli had 13 points (6 goals) and Werenski had 27 (8 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 →