Who to start · 2025-26
Esa Lindell vs Ivan Demidov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Esa Lindell projects to 1.72 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Demidov had 62 in 82 games.
This week Lindell has 1 game left; Demidov has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Lindell for 1.9 ESPN points to Demidov's 1.2.
Ivan Demidov has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Lindell's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, High-danger chances 55.4%, Blocked shots 179.
Demidov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 45.7%, Hardest shot 90.1, 20+ mph bursts 155.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Esa Lindell
1.72
fantasy points per game
Ivan Demidov
1.38
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Esa Lindell has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lindell | Demidov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.14 | 0.43 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.30 | 0.49 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.10 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 1.12 | 0.15 |
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: Lindell vs Demidov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Lindell 1G 0A, 1 SOG · Demidov 0G 1A, 4 SOG
On the ice against each other (Lindell's side)
5:17 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Lindell's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–3
- 70.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.0
- 85.7%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lindell | Demidov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-04 | DAL 3–4 MTL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2025-11-13 | DAL 7–0 MTL | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
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.
Esa Lindell
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 4th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 14th-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Ivan Demidov
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 16th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.2 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RWvs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Esa Lindell or Ivan Demidov in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Esa Lindell projects to 1.72 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38. Lindell had 32 points in 82 games; Demidov had 62 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, Esa Lindell or Ivan Demidov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Ivan Demidov leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Lindell and Demidov done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Lindell's team went 1–1. Lindell had 1 points (1 goals) and Demidov had 1 (0 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 →