Ivan Demidov or Valeri Nichushkin? Week 3
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Valeri Nichushkin. Valeri Nichushkin counts 2 games left to 0 for Ivan Demidov, for 3.1 projected fantasy points against 0.0. Who to start in fantasy hockey in Week 3 (Oct 12-18), RWs ranked 38th and 40th at the position.
The Week 3 call
Ivan Demidov has not played in MTL's last 3 games, so his week counts no games while that stands.
Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Valeri Nichushkin. Valeri Nichushkin counts 2 games left to 0 for Ivan Demidov, for 3.1 projected fantasy points against 0.0.
Categories leagues: Ivan Demidov instead, 0.0 category value for the week to -6.9, because his category mix is worth more there.
Over MTL's last 5 games Ivan Demidov played 2 games, 15:37 a night with 2:41 on the power play: line 2 by even-strength ice time and the second power-play unit.
Over CBJ's last 4 games Valeri Nichushkin played 4 games, 16:15 a night with 1:16 on the power play: line 2 by even-strength ice time and the second power-play unit.
CBJ has a back-to-back in Week 3.
This is the call for one lineup slot across the week, the way weekly-lock leagues play it. In a daily-lineup league, start whichever of the two plays that night, and both when they fit.
Week 3 (Oct 12-18), side by side
| This week | Ivan Demidov | Valeri Nichushkin |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 0 | 2 |
| Back-to-backs | 1 | 1 |
| Games, Week 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Line by ice time | Line 2 | Line 2 |
| Power-play unit | PP2 | PP2 |
| TOI, last games | 15:37 (2) | 16:15 (4) |
| TOI, board | 15:30 | 17:29 |
| PP TOI, last games | 2:41 | 1:16 |
| Shots, last games | 2.0 | 1.8 |
| Injury | None listed | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 0.0 | 3.1 |
| Projected category value | 0.0 | -6.9 |
Schedule: Ivan Demidov Tue BUF, Wed @WSH, Sat BUF. Valeri Nichushkin Tue FLA, Sat NYR, Sun @MIN.
Projections are the board's per-game value times the games counted. A skater listed out, or who missed his team's last three games, counts none. A goalie counts his team's games times his share of its recent starts. Lines and power-play units are by ice time over the team's last five games. Stats and schedule from the NHL; injury designations from ESPN's public NHL injury list.
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The rest-of-season call
Season-long, points leagues: Ivan Demidov, 1.57 fantasy points per game to 1.54.
Categories leagues: Valeri Nichushkin instead, 208th overall against 215th, because the categories reward a different mix.
| Category (z per game) | Ivan Demidov | Valeri Nichushkin |
|---|---|---|
| A assists | 0.1 | -0.4 |
| G goals | -0.3 | -0.5 |
| +/- plus-minus | -0.3 | -0.1 |
| BLK blocked shots | -0.9 | -0.7 |
| HIT hits | -0.8 | -0.2 |
| PPP power-play points | -0.2 | -1.2 |
| SOG shots on goal | -1.2 | -0.3 |
Other close calls
Week 3 streamers and goalie starts · NHL waiver wire · Rest-of-season rankings
Common questions
Should I start Ivan Demidov or Valeri Nichushkin in Week 3?
Ivan Demidov has not played in MTL's last 3 games, so his week counts no games while that stands. Points leagues, Week 3 (Oct 12-18): start Valeri Nichushkin. Valeri Nichushkin counts 2 games left to 0 for Ivan Demidov, for 3.1 projected fantasy points against 0.0. Categories leagues: Ivan Demidov instead, 0.0 category value for the week to -6.9, because his category mix is worth more there. Over MTL's last 5 games Ivan Demidov played 2 games, 15:37 a night with 2:41 on the power play: line 2 by even-strength ice time and the second power-play unit. Over CBJ's last 4 games Valeri Nichushkin played 4 games, 16:15 a night with 1:16 on the power play: line 2 by even-strength ice time and the second power-play unit. CBJ has a back-to-back in Week 3.
Who is better for the rest of the season, Ivan Demidov or Valeri Nichushkin?
Season-long, points leagues: Ivan Demidov, 1.57 fantasy points per game to 1.54. Categories leagues: Valeri Nichushkin instead, 208th overall against 215th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Ivan Demidov or Valeri Nichushkin?
Ivan Demidov is ahead per game in 3 (assists, goals, power-play points); Valeri Nichushkin in 4 (plus-minus, blocked shots, hits, shots on goal).
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 13, 2026 at 8:39 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number