Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Demidov vs Mikko Rantanen
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 games.
This week Demidov has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Rantanen has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Rantanen for 1.6 ESPN points to Demidov's 1.2.
Mikko Rantanen has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Demidov's biggest edges: Goals above expected +0.5, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.05, 20+ mph bursts 155.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 37, Ascension score 54, Ice-time share 33.1%.
- • 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
Ivan Demidov
1.38
fantasy points per game
Mikko Rantanen
2.21
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Mikko Rantanen has the edge.
| Points per game from | Demidov | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.43 | 0.64 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 0.81 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.25 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.22 |
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 Rantanen
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 0G 1A, 4 SOG · Rantanen 0G 3A, 4 SOG
On the ice against each other (Demidov's side)
10:28 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Demidov's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–11
- 45.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.9
- 25.3%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Demidov | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-04 | MTL 4–3 DAL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-11-13 | MTL 0–7 DAL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 2A 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)
1.2proj. 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)
Mikko Rantanen
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.6 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Demidov or Mikko Rantanen in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mikko Rantanen projects to 2.21 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38. Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 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 Mikko Rantanen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Mikko Rantanen leads in 24 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 Rantanen done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Demidov's team went 1–1. Demidov had 1 points (0 goals) and Rantanen had 3 (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 →