Who to start · 2026-27
Akira Schmid vs Devin Cooley
In 2026-27, Akira Schmid posted a .883 save percentage to Devin Cooley's .914.
Against our expected-goals model, Schmid saved −0.5 goals and Cooley +1.5.
This week Schmid has 1 game left (about 0.8 expected starts); Cooley has 1 left (about 1.0 expected starts) with 1 tough matchup. In ESPN default points scoring we project Cooley for 1.7 to Schmid's 1.3 over the games left.
They split the 1 stats both are ranked on 0–0.
In standard categories (W, GAA, SV%), the default in Who Should I Start, Devin Cooley rates ahead, +1.2 to -0.3 in summed category z-scores.
- • Schmid has played 10 of the Panthers' 19 games since Oct 1 (in and out of the lineup).
- • Cooley has played 9 of the Flames' 18 games since Oct 3 (in and out of the lineup).
Florida Panthers · Calgary Flames · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Under Standard (3 categories), Devin Cooley has the edge (Schmid wins 1, Cooley wins 2 of 3 categories).
| Category | Schmid | Cooley |
|---|---|---|
| Wins / game | 0.60 | 0.44 |
| GAA (lower wins) | 3.10 | 2.63 |
| Save % | 0.883 | 0.914 |
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 scoring choice is shared with Who Should I Start: saved on this device, and on your account when you are signed in.
Head-to-head: Schmid vs Cooley
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.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schmid | Cooley |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-20 | VGK 3–6 CGY | 20/25 SV | 34/37 SV |
| 2025-10-18 | VGK 6–1 CGY | 0/0 SV | 8/9 SV |
| 2025-10-14 | VGK 4–2 CGY | 19/19 SV | 0/0 SV |
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
This week's schedule
Nov 9 to Nov 15. 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 cover the games left: Edgehalla's rest-of-season rates per game, adjusted for each opponent's scoring allowed and, for goalies, weighted by the chance he starts, in ESPN default points.
Scored in ESPN default points (W 4, GA -2, SV 0.2, SO 3, OTL 1). Use your league's scoring
Akira Schmid
4games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN default pts
About 0.8 expected starts
- Tue, Nov 10 @ CBJOpp allows 5th-most FP to GLikely vs Cam Talbot (.909)
- Thu, Nov 12 vs DETOpp allows the most FP to GLikely vs John Gibson (.862)
- Sat, Nov 14 @ STLOpp allows 7th-most FP to GLikely vs Joel Hofer (.921)
- Opp allows 15th-most FP to GLikely vs Casey DeSmith (.894)
Devin Cooley
3games (1 left)
1.7proj. ESPN default pts
About 1.0 expected starts
- Wed, Nov 11 vs NYROpp allows 15th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Joonas Korpisalo (.931)
- Sat, Nov 14 @ LAKOpp allows 2nd-most FP to GLikely vs Anton Forsberg (.908)
- Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to GLikely vs Ville Husso (.868)
Player data stories
How the game changed, told through the numbers.
- In 2022-23, Four NHL Players Wore a Number in the 90s for Every One in No. 9 The count was 53 to 13, and the incomplete 2025-26 rosters show the same split, 51 to 12.
- The 1,000-Game Club Had Its Biggest Year. Getting In Is No Easier. Seventeen players reached 1,000 NHL games in 2025-26, more than in any season before, in the biggest league the NHL has had.
- Only 14 NHL Defencemen Still Score Like Ken Daneyko A stay-at-home defenceman stays back to defend and leaves the scoring to others.
- How Much Lighter Did the NHL Really Get? Teams write down NHL weights.
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Akira Schmid or Devin Cooley?
- In 2026-27, Akira Schmid posted a .883 save percentage to Devin Cooley's .914. Against our expected-goals model, Schmid saved −0.5 goals and Cooley +1.5. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Akira Schmid or Devin Cooley?
- On 2026-27 numbers they split 0–0 across 1 stats where both qualify.
- How have Schmid and Cooley done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Schmid's team went 2–1.
2026-27 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 →