Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Demidov vs Mike Matheson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 games.
This week Demidov has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Matheson has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Matheson for 1.3 ESPN points to Demidov's 1.2.
Ivan Demidov has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Demidov's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 71.3%, Offensive-zone time 45.7%, Power-play share 63.8%.
Matheson's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Turnover Ledger /60 −0.035, Blocked shots 150.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Demidov
1.38
fantasy points per game
Mike Matheson
1.80
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mike Matheson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Demidov | Matheson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.43 | 0.17 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 0.42 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.07 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.96 |
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 Matheson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
350:22 at 5-on-5 over 95 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 252–372
- 40.4%
- Expected goals
- 13.8–14.6
- 48.5%
- Goals
- 20–16
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)
1.2proj. 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)
Mike Matheson
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 14th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.3 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to Dvs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Demidov or Mike Matheson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mike Matheson projects to 1.80 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38. Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Matheson had 37 in 78 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 Mike Matheson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Ivan Demidov 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 →