Who to start · 2025-26
Ivan Demidov vs Rickard Rakell
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Rickard Rakell projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38.
Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 games.
This week Demidov has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Rakell has 1 left. We project Rakell for 2.1 ESPN points to Demidov's 1.2.
Rickard Rakell has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Demidov's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 34, Transition attempts /60 1.09, Assists 43.
Rakell's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.35, Faceoffs won 81, Corsi 49.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ivan Demidov
1.38
fantasy points per game
Rickard Rakell
2.10
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Rickard Rakell has the edge.
| Points per game from | Demidov | Rakell |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.43 | 0.75 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.49 | 0.44 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.27 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.13 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.34 |
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 Rakell
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, 2 SOG · Rakell 1G 1A, 9 SOG
On the ice against each other (Demidov's side)
7:13 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Demidov's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–12
- 25.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.4
- 25.3%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Demidov | Rakell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-21 | MTL 3–4 PIT | 1G 1A 2S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2025-12-20 | MTL 4–0 PIT | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
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 11th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.2 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Rickard Rakell
2games (1 left)
2.1proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ PHIOpp allows 5th-most FP to RWLikely vs Dan Vladar (.906)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs MTL2.1 ptsOpp allows 9th-most FP to RWLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ivan Demidov or Rickard Rakell in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Rickard Rakell projects to 2.10 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ivan Demidov's 1.38. Demidov had 62 points in 82 games; Rakell had 48 in 60 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 Rickard Rakell?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Rickard Rakell leads in 20 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 Rakell done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Demidov's team went 1–1. Demidov had 2 points (1 goals) and Rakell had 2 (1 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 →