Who to start · 2025-26
Alex Lyon vs Casey DeSmith
In 2025-26, Alex Lyon posted a .907 save percentage to Casey DeSmith's .907.
Against our expected-goals model, Lyon saved +8.5 goals and DeSmith +5.5.
This week Lyon has 1 game left (about 0.1 expected starts) with 1 soft matchup; DeSmith has 1 left (about 0.9 expected starts). We project DeSmith for 2.4 ESPN points to Lyon's 0.2.
Alex Lyon has the better number in 6 of the 11 stats both are ranked on.
Lyon's biggest edges: Shutouts 3, Saves 888, Wins 20.
DeSmith's biggest edges: Goals-against average 2.43, Goals against 71, Overtime losses 6.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alex Lyon
2.41
fantasy points per game
Casey DeSmith
2.16
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Alex Lyon has the edge.
| Points per game from | Lyon | DeSmith |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (+4) | 2.22 | 2.00 |
| Goals against (-2) | -5.11 | -4.73 |
| Saves (+0.2) | 4.93 | 4.59 |
| Shutouts (+3) | 0.25 | 0.10 |
| OT losses (+1) | 0.11 | 0.20 |
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: Lyon vs DeSmith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2024-25: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Lyon | DeSmith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-19 | DET 1–4 DAL | 21/25 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-02-15 | DET 1–4 VAN | 17/21 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2024-02-10 | DET 4–3 VAN | 28/31 SV | 24/28 SV |
| 2023-03-04 | FLA 4–1 PIT | 0/0 SV | 38/42 SV |
| 2023-01-24 | FLA 6–7 PIT | 42/49 SV | 33/39 SV |
| 2021-05-03 | PHI 7–2 PIT | 35/37 SV | 33/37 SV |
| 2018-03-25 | PHI 4–5 PIT | 8/11 SV | 0/0 SV |
| 2018-03-07 | PHI 2–5 PIT | 0/0 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
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.
Alex Lyon
2games (1 left)
0.2proj. ESPN pts
About 0.1 expected starts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to GLikely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI8% to start0.2 ptsOpp allows 8th-most FP to GLikely vs Spencer Knight (.902)
Casey DeSmith
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
About 0.9 expected starts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLOpp allows 13th-fewest FP to GLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B88% to start2.4 ptsOpp allows 11th-most FP to GSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alex Lyon or Casey DeSmith?
- In 2025-26, Alex Lyon posted a .907 save percentage to Casey DeSmith's .907. Against our expected-goals model, Lyon saved +8.5 goals and DeSmith +5.5. Confirm the starter on game day; workload and back-to-backs decide most goalie starts.
- Who is better, Alex Lyon or Casey DeSmith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alex Lyon leads in 6 of 11 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Lyon and DeSmith done against each other?
- In 8 games against each other in our data, Lyon's team went 3–5.
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 →