Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Demidov vs Matthew Schaefer
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 in 82 games.
This week Demidov has 1 game left; Schaefer has 1 left. We project Schaefer for 2.1 ESPN points to Demidov's 1.5.
Matthew Schaefer has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Demidov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 71.3%, On-ice PDO 1042, Hardest shot 90.1.
Schaefer's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.058, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.59.
- • 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, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Demidov
1.38
fantasy points per game
Matthew Schaefer
2.02
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Matthew Schaefer has the edge.
| Points per game from | Demidov | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.43 | 0.53 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 0.41 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.67 |
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: Demidov vs Schaefer
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.
Demidov 1G 1A, 4 SOG · Schaefer 3G 0A, 10 SOG
Demidov blocked 0 of Schaefer's shots; Schaefer blocked 1 of Demidov's.
On the ice against each other (Demidov's side)
6:32 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Demidov's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–12
- 33.3%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.7
- 24.2%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Demidov | Schaefer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-12 | MTL 4–1 NYI | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2026-03-21 | MTL 7–3 NYI | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2026-02-26 | MTL 3–4 NYI | 0G 1A 1S | 2G 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.
Ivan Demidov
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.5 pts
Matthew Schaefer
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TORSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD2.1 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Demidov or Matthew Schaefer in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Matthew Schaefer projects to 2.02 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38. Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Schaefer had 59 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, Ivan Demidov or Matthew Schaefer?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Matthew Schaefer leads in 22 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Demidov and Schaefer done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Demidov's team went 2–1. Demidov had 2 points (1 goals) and Schaefer had 3 (3 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 →